Advancing Spatial Energy Demand Analysis for Public Sector Energy Planning

Project Description

The Project aims to develop and enhance the methodologies involved in creating Spatial Energy Demand Analysis (SEDAs) and create tools in order to shape local level energy policy through evidence-based energy planning. The SEDA methodology, developed by Codema and successfully implemented in two Dublin local authorities (LAs), now needs to be built upon so that all LAs in Ireland can use this tool to engage in local level energy planning practises. The SEDA allows LAs to design effective energy policies based on the specific energy synergies and characteristics of a specific area, and include these in development plans, local area plans, sustainable energy action plans and climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. These evidence-based energy planning policies will have a positive effect on the energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy (RE) sectors from a bottom-up approach. The project will produce a SEDA for the entire region of Dublin (applying the SEDA in urban/peri-urban/rural areas), which can be hosted on the SEAI website and accessed by outside researchers and policy makers. Creating SEDAs for all counties based on the same methodology will build an integrated national level picture of local level demands and facilitate a cross-boundary approach to local level energy planning.