Local Area Energy Planning is a comprehensive framework that supports local authorities in cost-effectively decarbonising the whole energy system. . The resulting Local Area Energy Plan (or LAEP, pronounced “Leep”) is likely to be a core component of Net Zero delivery, and specifies what must change, when, and who will make it happen. There are several components of the local energy system that can be influenced in LAEPs.
- Energy Sources
- Energy Distribution
- Energy Pricing and Flexibility
- Energy Demand
- Energy Storage
Here are seven key reasons to develop a LAEP.
1) LAEPs Support the Environment and Decarbonisation Goals
The main purpose of LAEPs is to combat climate change and safeguard the environment from the negative effects of our energy use. LAEPs address environmental concerns by promoting the use of clean energy technologies, which lower carbon and other emissions, enhance air quality, protect natural resources (by avoiding the extraction and use of fossil fuels), and encourage environmental stewardship. LAEPs identify and prioritise strategies to lower greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector, thereby supporting local authority decarbonisation goals. This may entail a variety of initiatives, including creating a low-carbon energy mix, boosting energy efficiency, assisting a gradual switch to electric power, and creating carbon pricing mechanisms to create a financial incentive for emission reduction.
2) LAEPs Promote Renewable Energy
Communities can transition to using clean energy sources and lessen their reliance on fossil fuels with the aid of LAEPs. Finding opportunities to develop renewable energy projects is a crucial step in the planning process. This procedure also helps in determining the necessary infrastructure and minimising related obstacles before they prevent the delivery of renewable energy. By fostering cooperation between utilities and other stakeholders and facilitating the creation of necessary policies and procedures, LAEPs further facilitate the integration of renewable energy into the local electricity grid. In addition, the LAEP process can encourage the adoption of renewable energy technologies by homeowners and businesses by incorporating financial incentives, awareness campaigns, or other strategies.
3) LAEPs Reduce Energy Costs:
Multiple ways exist for LAEPs to contribute to regional energy cost reduction. First, LAEPs suggest ways to reduce energy use by enhancing the energy efficiency of buildings, transportation systems, and other infrastructure. By incorporating demand reduction programmes (like rebate programmes or educational campaigns that encourage consumers and businesses to use less energy), energy use can be reduced even more. Local renewable energy can also be cheaper and more stable. LAEPs evaluate opportunities to upgrade or modernise energy infrastructure to improve energy reliability and efficiency and lower energy costs. Energy storage can also help communities reduce energy use and costs.
4) LAEPs Improve Energy Security
By ensuring that communities have access to dependable, affordable, and sustainable energy sources, LAEPs can play a key role in improving energy security. This can be achieved by assessing local energy supply and demand to identify potential weaknesses. The LAEP process then explores options for creating a diversified local energy mix (such as renewable energy or diversified generation), thereby reducing reliance on a single source. If stress testing is a primary objective of the activity, it can be incorporated into the modelling process. Initiatives can be developed that improve resilience (such as implementing backup power systems), or reduce the overall demand for energy (such as energy usage reduction or improved efficiency). By identifying and prioritising local energy needs and resources, and developing strategies to meet those needs in a reliable and resilient manner, LAEPs enable communities to reduce their reliance on imported energy and increase energy independence.
5) LAEPs Increase Community Engagement and Empowerment
LAEPs can increase community engagement and empowerment by building local capacity and ownership and creating a sense of shared responsibility for the energy future of the community. This is achieved by involving stakeholders throughout the planning process and giving them a voice in shaping the energy future of their community. Firstly, consulting with community members (via meetings, surveys and other outreach efforts) can help to ensure that the energy plans being developed reflect the needs and priorities of the community. LAEPs also involve partnering with community groups to ensure the perspectives and interests of underrepresented groups are considered. The process also provides the opportunity to offer education and training to community members on energy issues and opportunities. This helps to empower members to take action to improve energy security and sustainability in their community, leading to the development of community-led projects (such as community solar or energy cooperatives), which increases ownership of the energy system by local residents.
6) LAEPs Support Economic Development
Energy demand reduction and energy efficiency improvements can help businesses become more profitable and competitive. This will help the area’s current businesses and might even draw in new ones. LAEPs encourage innovation as well. By assuming a leadership position, the area can draw in investors, motivate existing businesses to grow and acquire new skills, and inspire new business. Additionally, the resulting regional programmes created through the LAEP frequently enable transitional benefits like attracting capital investments and fostering an increase in green jobs.
7) LAEPs Support Wider Societal Goals
When developed holistically, LAEPs can assist with a number of broader societal objectives. By giving priority to strategies that ensure all members of the community have access to reasonably priced and dependable energy and that fuel poverty and energy security issues are addressed, LAEPs improve social equity. This can involve a range of activities, such as providing lower-cost energy, programmes to improve energy efficiency, income-based energy pricing (or other types of energy assistance), and promoting local or national changes to energy policy. Additionally, LAEPs can play a role in supporting health and well-being by reducing exposure to air pollution and other health hazards associated with the energy sector, and by promoting active transportation and other healthy behaviours. The creation of more livable and sustainable communities, where problems with energy affordability, dependability, and sustainability are minimised, can enhance quality of life.
Want To Learn More About Developing a LAEP?
Please contact City Science if this is something you’d like to develop yourself. We have experience in delivering diverse projects for local authorities, including LAEPs, extensive energy modelling, scenario development and stakeholder engagement.
Email info@cityscience.com to learn more