How to make reasonable and effective energy policy and planning

The necessity to rethink the energy system by directing the view towards the services we want from energy use and away from a pure technical thinking in kind of kilowatts or litres is highlighted. Clean energy policy means a demand side approach and policy making means in this respect to identify demands first. Reasonable clean energy policy has to be aware further of the manifold obstacles and barriers, that have to be handled in the planning process. The most important constraints are named.

Personal experiences of managers of the clean energy planning processes show, that planning and especially policy planning is a job, which cannot be learned from books or lectures only. One has to do it. The best approach is the learning-on-the-job method. Teaching is not sufficient and training from the front-desk is not enough. Not trainers, but coaches are required, who are willing to go into the matter with a learning interest, too. Therefore, to achieve the envisaged planning targets at least, a more workshop oriented didactics should be applied. This does not mean, that the project frame will generate final results in kind of perfect final energy plans, but the chances to proceed in this respect will be higher. In the minimum the following should result:

• Deduced from an analysis of the existing - ecological, economical and social - problems => a set of priorities, where action is required

• Deduced from the analysis, why these required actions have not been done yet, => a set of concrete obstacles and barrier

• Deduced from the analysis of obstacles and barriers => a portfolio of measures, suitable to overcome these barriers

• Deduced from an analysis of competences, which are in the hands of the concerned cities => a list of measures, that are suitable and practicable at least

• Can be done, just do it

• Can be done, but need this and that organisational internal changes

• Can be done, but need further regulations, which can be authorised by the cities itself

• Can be done, but need further investments based on good business planning

• Can be done only with the - legislative or financial - support from a third party

• Detailed description of each measure concerning their impact on the problems to be solved, their time, financial and similar dimensions, the responsibilities, etc.

The experiences with such a planning procedure have been collected in a guideline for energy planning for replication. Once more, to achieve such a good or best practice guide, one has to do it the first time to learn from the reality.