Planners are encouraged to follow the framework in a sequential manner, from preparation to implementation, monitoring, and review.
Click on the diagram to navigate through the Regio1st Planning Framework's 8 stages.
This stage involves gathering and analysing data on the existing energy system, including energy consumption patterns, infrastructure, and other key aspects.
In this step, planners should gather data to understand the current regional energy system. This includes quantitative information on regional energy production, renewable energy production, energy consumption per sector and energy source. Data sources may include regional and national statistical institutes/offices, utilities, industry reports, technical reports and academic publications. Accurate and comprehensive data are essential for developing a baseline energy inventory, understanding the current regional energy system and setting realistic targets in the regional energy plan.
Energy Inventory Data Collection Template
This Excel template can help planners systematically collect and organize relevant energy data, such as energy production and consumption, as well as key infrastructure information (e.g. existing renewable energy production capacity). It can also act as a checklist that helps planners identify key sectors and energy sources to collect data for. Finally, it can help planners subsequently develop a Greenhouse Gas inventory for the region.
Energy Inventory Data Collection Template Download
Additional resources
Once the necessary data has been collected, planners should analyse the energy consumption data by sector, in order to derive consumption patterns in different sectors, especially the residential, commercial, and transport sector. The analysis should consider factors such as energy demand, energy intensity, and the types of energy sources used in each sector.
Understanding sector-specific energy consumption patterns will help planners identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency, switch fuels, and implement other demand-side interventions.
In addition to analysing energy consumption, planners should evaluate the existing energy infrastructure in the region. This should consider the age, condition, capacity, and efficiency of energy production, distribution, and storage facilities, as well as the availability and accessibility of renewable energy resources.
This assessment will help planners identify infrastructure-related constraints and opportunities to include in the regional energy plan, such as the development of new renewable energy projects.
Once a thorough understanding of the current regional energy system has been established, planners should discuss the findings with stakeholders. This may involve organizing workshops, meetings, or other engagement activities to present the data and analysis and gather feedback and insight from stakeholders.
This step is important for validating the information, ensuring that all relevant aspects have been considered, and building consensus on the key challenges and opportunities of the regional energy system.
Additional resources
Overall Stage material
- CoM Guidebook 'How to develop a Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan (SECAP)' - Part 2: Baseline Emission Inventory (BEI) and Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (RVA)
- The Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories (GPC)
- C40 city Inventory Reporting and Information System (CIRIS) tool
Co-funded by the European Union under project ID 101076088. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.