In the quest for carbon-neutral cities, researchers are turning to an unlikely mentor: the forest. A groundbreaking study published in the journal ‘Frontiers in Built Environment’ (translated from English) proposes a novel urban energy system inspired by the Wood Wide Web—the intricate underground network of mycorrhizal fungi that connects trees, enabling them to share resources and communicate. This research, led by Rahubadda Vithanage Ashen Dilruksha Rahubadda from the Department of Building Economics at the University of Moratuwa in Sri Lanka, offers a promising blueprint for the energy sector, with significant commercial implications.
The study introduces a biomimetic framework for urban energy systems, drawing parallels between forest ecologies and city infrastructures. “We asked ourselves, what if cities could function like forests?” Rahubadda explains. “Forests are incredibly resilient and efficient, thanks to decentralized, cooperative networks. We saw an opportunity to translate these principles into urban energy systems.”
The proposed model comprises three layers: on-site renewable generation, peer-to-peer (P2P) energy sharing, and grid integration for redundancy. Using Building Information Modeling (BIM) simulations, Rahubadda and his team compared two urban building clusters—a conventional baseline and a biomimetic cluster anchored by a high-performance “mother tree” structure, modeled after London’s Gherkin building.
The results were striking. Cooperative energy redistribution enabled multiple buildings to reach net-zero emissions, while the mother tree intervention alone achieved a 46% reduction in annual cluster-wide carbon output. “This isn’t just about reducing emissions,” Rahubadda notes. “It’s about creating a more resilient, adaptive energy system that can respond to changes and disruptions, much like a forest ecosystem.”
The commercial implications for the energy sector are substantial. Decentralized, cooperative energy systems could unlock new markets for renewable energy, create opportunities for innovative P2P energy trading platforms, and drive demand for advanced energy management technologies. Moreover, the biomimetic approach could inspire a new wave of regenerative, climate-adaptive urban design, shaping the future of city planning and infrastructure development.
As cities worldwide grapple with the challenges of urbanization and climate change, this research offers a compelling vision for a sustainable future. By embedding ecological principles into the built environment, cities can evolve into cooperative, circular systems aligned with nature’s logic and sustainability goals. “We’re not just mimicking nature,” Rahubadda concludes. “We’re learning from it, and in the process, redefining what’s possible in urban energy systems.”
Published in ‘Frontiers in Built Environment’, this study advances biomimicry from conceptual metaphor to actionable infrastructure design, offering a scalable blueprint for regenerative, climate-adaptive urban energy systems. As the energy sector seeks innovative solutions to meet climate targets, the Wood Wide Web may well provide the inspiration needed to transform our cities into resilient, carbon-neutral hubs.