• Podcast 1 November 2023 District Heating and Energy Efficiency in Chile: An Example of Project Bundling in Practice Problem: Chile is pursuing plans and investment strategies to implement district energy systems in cities and regions across the country. The overall aim of the initiative is to improve well-being in urban communities currently dealing with severe air pollution, as well as to fulfil part of the country’s commitment to the Paris Agreement by decarbonizing heating. Key message: Replacing outdated and unhealthy heating systems with district energy simultaneously tackles local public health…
• Publication 16 October 2023 Water-energy Nexus in Urban Water Supply Systems Access to clean water and modern energy supply are key preconditions for modern life. Water-energy nexus refers to the tight interlinkage and high interdependence between water and energy demand and supply (WWAP, 2014). Energy production, especially hydropower and the cooling of thermal and nuclear power generation, depends on water. Reallocating water to different uses and places might increase the value per drop but increase energy use. Water supply, including water extraction, treatment, and…
• Publication 17 July 2023 Green and blue spaces Energy efficiency and nature‐based solutions can help cities combat excessive heat amid rising temperatures. Energy efficiency mitigates excessive heat, whereas nature‐based solutions adapt and withstand it. Better construction, building energy efficiency, and sustainable transportation policy, planning, and technology can help cities cope with high heat. Reduced energy consumption reduces greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Nature‐based solutions, such as green roofs, green walls,…
• Tools 19 August 2016 The Co-benefits Evaluation Tool for the Urban Energy System The tool evaluates climate co-benefits for the urban energy system based on different scenarios of socioeconomic, technological and demographic developments. The tool relates systematically the climate change based on the specific energy demand in different sectors in cities to the corresponding social, economic and technological factors that affect this demand. Aim To evaluate climate co-benefits for the urban energy system. Target audience Policy-makers Approach Interactive Scope Policy Stage…
• Tools 19 August 2016 Benchmarking and Energy Saving Tool for Low Carbon Cities (BEST) The tool is designed to provide city authorities with strategies they can follow to reduce city-wide carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) emissions. The tool quickly assesses local energy use and energy-related CO2 and CH4 emissions across nine sectors (i.e., industry, public and commercial buildings, residential buildings, transportation, power and heat, street lighting, water & wastewater, solid waste, and urban green space), giving officials a comprehensive perspective on their local…