Energy demand model to support the definition of sustainable energy systems: residential sector
Abstract
A
bottom
-
up energy demand
model
that reflects the use of various energy vectors to satisfy
regional energy requirements is provided as a tool to promote sustainable e
nergy planning
at a regional level. The model is used to
identify t
echnology policy options that may improve
energy efficiency
and
take full advantage of endogenous en
ergy
resources.
The model
considers
building geometric and thermodynamic characteristics, climatic data
and technology penetration
information
and is calib
rated with top
-
down information from
national statistics.
It
is applied in a Portuguese municipality
–
Odemira, and
a
set of sixteen
technology option
scenarios are examined regarding energy consumption and CO
2
emissions.
The results obtained show that a
demand driven model is critical to identify technology
options that may contribute to simultaneously improve energy efficiency and to maximize
the use of renewable and endogenous energy and therefore to increase local added value to
the regional economy.