Most important sectors and fields of action for local energy policy
International experiences show that energy innovation is achieved in final consequence at the local level, depending on local initiatives and local projects, which have to be appropriate for the local circumstances.
The baseline for urban energy policy and planning is the existing situation, which should be analysed in kind of an energy and emission balance consisting of: (1) Energy use by energy resources, (2) Energy use by sectors, (3) Cross-table of 1 and 2, (4) Calculation of related emissions. If a historical dimension is included, it will become obvious more often than not that continuing as usual would lead to desasters in the longer run. Measures are necessary in any way.
In almost all cases the following sectors will earn the highest attention:
Buildings - including residential buildings, commercial buildings and community used buildings: Beside traffic infrastructures buildings are the most important infrastructure of a city. With a lifetime up to 50 years they have a long capital stock turnover. Therefore, the rehabilitation of buildings and the construction of new buildings have long lasting impacts on the energy system. Buildings are further the infrastructure with many different uses of energy - heating, cooling, electrical appliances. A city can influence this sector very much.
Industry - Industry uses energy for both process (steam production, machine drive, process heating and cooling, electro-chemistry) and non-process functions (lighting, heating, cooling and ventilation, communication and computation). Depending on the local types of industries (heavy or light), the energy and emission balance of a city will be influenced more or less. A city can influence this sector very much.
Energy production - The only final energy, which may be not generated occasionaly in the city itself is electricty, as it can be quasi imported via the net. All other energies will be generated at the spot and transformed from raw energy sources to final energy and made available for the endusers. A city can influence this sector very much.
Behaviour - The access of city inhabitants and small workshops to energy efficient technologies, the understanding of energy saving measures and how to realise them, is usally limited and underdeveloped. A city administration has a high responsibility to provide information and guidance and will influence by this related production and services and behaviour.