Abstract |
To enable a cost effective low carbon transition, more advanced local area energy planning is needed to identify the right technologies in the rights place, at the right time. These solutions will be influenced by a number of variable factors including local resources, political support and leadership, consumer and community preferences, technological innovation and cost.
Therefore the development of local area energy plans will play a vital role in identifying and developing cost effective low carbon energy systems to meet future energy demand and support carbon reduction objectives. Local residents and businesses can have greater confidence that their investments in building fabric, heating systems and controls will be compatible with local network development and the cost of low carbon energy supplies; the supply chain can plan to meet local needs; and regional, national and UK government and regulators can have confidence that their actions are grounded in local realities with democratic consent
In response to this “local” challenge, the ETI’s Smart Systems and Heat programme has developed the UK’s most advanced local area energy planning tool – EnergyPath Networks. |