IN-PLAN PRACTICE
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“Adapting Historic Buildings for Energy and Carbon Efficiency” is an Advice Note by the Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England. The comprehensive document emphasises the importance of adapting historic buildings to address climate change while preserving their heritage value. Buildings are significant contributors to carbon emissions, and thoughtful, well-planned changes can help reduce their environmental impact. The document provides guidance on improving energy efficiency in historic buildings, balancing carbon reduction with the protection of their historic character. It outlines key considerations for local planning authorities, heritage consultants, and building owners, including permissions, common adaptations, and decision-making processes. The advice also references additional resources for integrating climate strategies with heritage conservation efforts.
Reference: Energy Efficiency and Retrofit in Historic Buildings | Historic England
The guide for developing a Heating and Cooling (H/C) plan was elaborated in the EU Horizon 2020 project Decarb City Pipes 2050. It emphasises the importance of understanding existing heat infrastructure, heat demand, and renewable energy sources (RES). Essential components include the infrastructure map, heat demand density map, and potential map. The infrastructure map details existing heat networks, while the heat demand map assesses the economic feasibility of district heating based on current and future demand. The potential map spatially quantifies available heating and cooling energy sources. Combining these maps results in the H/C map.
The guide describes how to develop these maps, considering data availability and quality, with examples from Winterthur. It explains economic considerations for heat networks and discusses integrating heating and cooling with the power grid, especially in light of increasing electrification. The guide acknowledges varying data availability, offering procedures for scenarios ranging from minimal data to detailed digital twins of buildings.
Reference: Guidance for cities developing Heating and Cooling plans – Decarb City Pipes 2050
The Tallaght District Heating Scheme (TDHS), launched in early 2023, is Ireland’s first large-scale district heating network, managed by Heat Works, the country’s first not-for-profit energy utility owned by South Dublin County Council. This scheme aims to significantly reduce local carbon emissions, saving nearly 1,500 tonnes of CO2 annually, and positioning Tallaght as a leader in climate change innovation. Utilising waste heat from a nearby data centre, the TDHS covers 100% of its heat demand through this sustainable source. Initiated by South Dublin County Council, the project showcases the environmental benefits and potential of district heating in Ireland. Collaboration between the council, private stakeholders, and the Dublin Energy Agency Codema has created a low- carbon solution using recyclable heat and innovative heat-pump technology. Heat Works aspires to be a model heat network business, delivering economic, environmental, and social benefits to residents and businesses, and becoming a key component of the county’s identity by supporting local and national climate action plans and enhancing the quality of life in South Dublin.
Reference: Heatworks – Ireland’s first not-for-profit energy utility
The Vienna Heating Plan 2040 provides orientation on the way to a climate-neutral heat supply in Vienna. By 2040, space heating and hot water in buildings must be provided exclusively from renewable sources. The Vienna Heating Plan 2040 outlines the most suitable heating solutions for buildings currently heated with oil or gas in different areas. It covers all built-up areas of the city and provides guidance for all people living in Vienna. The designation of areas in the Vienna Heating Plan 2040 is based on existing and expected heat demand up to 2040, renewable energy potentials, and the existing infrastructure.
The Vienna Heating Plan 2040 addresses all existing buildings. In Vienna, approximately 600,000 gas boilers need to be replaced in these buildings. Therefore, the Vienna Heating Plan 2040 serves as an invitation to all residents of Vienna to contribute to achieving a climate-neutral future. All current and future options for climate-neutral heat supply, along with information on available services and consultations, are comprehensively summarised in the Vienna Heating Plan 2040.
Reference: Vienna Heating Plan 2040 (wien.gv.at)
Local spatial planning can create the spatial conditions for the efficient use of energy and the utilisation of renewable energy sources, thus contributing to the reduction of energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Therefore, the federal state of Styria mandates that municipalities develop comprehensive energy supply concepts as an integral component of their municipal development planning processes. These plans, which possess legal binding status, articulate the strategic developmental objectives of the municipality for the forthcoming 10 to 15 years, ensuring that energy supply considerations are systematically integrated into long-term planning frameworks.
The energy supply concept is based on a spatially and contextually detailed energy characterisation of the municipality under consideration, with special attention to aspects of heat supply and mobility. Consequently, the energy supply concept serves as a foundation for developing strategies to guide future spatial development into energy-efficient spatial and settlement structures, known as energy planning location areas.
Reference: Leitfaden_Sachbereichskonzept_Energie_2023.pdf (steiermark.at)
A Sankey diagram for energy flows is a visual representation that illustrates how energy moves through a system. It typically begins with a primary energy source on the left side, such as renewable sources like solar or wind. From there, lines of varying widths extend to intermediate nodes, which represent different stages of energy transformation or distribution, like power generation or transportation. The width of these lines corresponds to the amount of energy flowing through each pathway, making it easy to visualise where energy is allocated or lost. Smaller branches diverging from the main flow lines indicate energy losses, such as heat dissipation or inefficiencies in conversion processes. Sankey diagrams are useful tools for energy management and policy-making providing a clear and intuitive way to understand complex energy systems and identify opportunities for efficiency improvements.
Reference: Sankey diagrams for energy balance – Statistics Explained (europa.eu)
The Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI) is a tool developed by the European Union (EU) to evaluate how well buildings can integrate and utilise smart technologies. It measures the buildings’ capacity to effectively incorporate advanced systems like smart meters, energy management tools, and renewable energy solutions. The primary aim is to enhance energy efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and improve occupant comfort and indoor environmental quality. The SRI assesses various aspects such as the integration of smart technologies, their impact on energy performance, and their ability to enhance comfort and well-being for occupants. It also considers the scalability and adaptability of these technologies across different types of buildings and geographic locations. By providing a standardised measure, the SRI supports EU policies that promote sustainable building practices, helping member states set targets, define regulations, and encourage investments in smart technologies.
Reference: Smart readiness indicator – European Commission (europa.eu)