Spatial energy planning (SEP) has the potential to become a game changer in steering the decarbonisation in Europe. In the first stage of the project (GEL S/E/P I), the consortium around the three federal provinces Vienna, Styria and Salzburg lays the ground for the implementation of SEP for the heat sector by developing the basic methodologies, processes, IT- and data-exchange requirements needed. Some of the planning authorities have already started to consider energy topics in practice. The project series of GEL S/E/P has the objective to substantially improve the related planning processes by providing comprehensive and standardized information for the defined planning processes via automized analysis (e.g. analyses for land plots or development areas) generated by the HEATatlas.
The present follow-up project (GEL S/E/P II) will complete the SEP-system by integrating the sectors mobility and electricity. As in GELS/E/P I for the heat sector all relevant planning related questions will be acquired also for electricity and mobility as well as essential information processed in order to extend the HEATatlas to an ENERGYatlas. By exploiting the capabilities to display demands, infrastructure and sustainable supply potentials for all sectors of energy use as well as considering grey energy aspects it will be possible to establish an integrated planning and an integrated assessment of energy and GHG emissions as the new standard in public spatial energy planning.
Apart from the extension of the HEAT- to the ENERGYatlas, the relevant planning approaches are extended to cover the field of energy infrastructure planning. The coordination of planning processes between public authorities and energy grid operators aims to foster the cost-effective and aligned development of the different types of energy infrastructures and sector coupling for development areas as well as for the building stock.
Further objectives include monitoring of previous results as well as improving the effectiveness and legal security for the execution of SEP by advancing relevant regulatory framework conditions in dialogue with public authorities and politics.
The unique partner constellation of the project is being complemented by the energy grid operators, expertise in the sector of mobility, legal competence and two follower cities from, as of yet non-participating federal provinces. The approach is becoming a national standard and leads international energy planning development.
With this project the successfully launched integration of energy and climate protection related questions in planning processes will be extended to all sectors of energy use, creating a powerful lever for the coordination of energy transition with an outstanding potential for replication.
