Guidance for cities

WHICH PATHWAYS TOWARDS A DECARBONISED HEATING AND COOLING SECTOR?

A DIVERSITY OF CITIES AND SOLUTIONS

We strongly believe that the heating and cooling transition cannot rely on one-size-fits all solutions but will be strongly defined by local circumstances.The cities that are part of the project represent a variety of profile with differences in size, population, heat density and climatic zone. They have different existing infrastructures (from well-developed to almost-non-existing district heating and cooling (DHC) systems, for example) and different renewable energy sources at their disposal. They have different planning competences and are at different progress levels on spatial energy planning. Thus, we believe that all European cities will be able to find useful recommendations from the cities involved.

A MULTITUDE OF TOPICS TO ADDRESS

There are a number of questions local authorities need to address in order to achieve their heating and cooling transition:

  • Which solutions are the most cost-efficient to replace fossil fuels in urban areas? In which areas is DHC the most beneficial solution? What role could “green gas” play in residential heating? How to transform existing DHC-grids to renewable energy sourced?
  • Which procedures, instruments and partners do cities need to design and enforce a spatially differentiated decarbonisation approach? Which data are needed? Which regulatory and financial instruments can be setup and at which level? How to engage with utilities and citizens?

These are the questions that we will discuss, within cities but also between cities and relevant stakeholders (local utilities, energy communities, national and European policy makers).

OUR METHODOLOGY: ENERGY OUTLOOK, SPATIALLY DIFFERENTIATED PLANS AND TRANSITION ROADMAPS

Partner cities will develop the following approach:

What

Cities will assess the existing energy demand for heating and cooling, estimate the future demand and the potential of renewable energy to supply it. Techno-economic megatrends will be confronted to local circumstances, to determine which solutions are the most suitable.

Where

Spatially differentiated plans will be developed to determine where the different solutions are the most cost-effective for each district, depending for instance on the energy infrastructures available, the types and density of buildings, or the local energy resources.

When & How

Transition roadmaps will define how to implement these solutions, at which pace, and who should be involved. The adaptation and creation of suitable legal and financial instruments will be key to succeed.

Guidance for cities

Several guidebooks for cities will be published, to share the knowledge acquired by the partners with other cities willing to replicate the Decarb City Pipes 2050 approach. These recommendations, especially on heating and cooling demands and supplies in 2050, on developing heating and cooling plans and on local policies, will be published in 2022 for the most part. In 2021, we will focus on the analyses and capacity-building activities, such as monthly workshops. We will continuously publish the outcomes of these activities, so make sure to regularly check our news section and subscribe to our newsletter for updates. If you are a city officer willing to take part in our monthly discussions, please get in touch !

Here are a few insights for you:
Vienna has the ambition to reach climate neutrality by 2040. To phase-out fossil fuels for heat usage, in addition to energy efficiency measures, Vienna will prioritise DHC systems and heat pumps for low-temperature heat demand, and electrification for high-temperature demand when possible. Indeed, it is expected that green gases will be available in short supply and at high costs and should be spared to replace natural gas where there is no other options. The same approach is promoted in Winterthur where the city financially supports the switch from gas boilers to ground source heat pumps.