We are thrilled to announce that City Science was commissioned to develop the Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council. This project marks a significant step in the Council’s commitment to addressing climate change and achieving carbon neutrality by 2045.
Understanding LAEPs
A Local Area Energy Plan is a comprehensive strategy designed to reduce carbon emissions from local energy systems. It identifies the most effective changes required to meet local and national net zero commitments, with modelling projections extending to 2050. LAEPs serve as crucial tools for translating climate emergency declarations into actionable strategies, providing a roadmap for sustainable energy transitions at the local level.
Objectives
The BCP LAEP project builds upon City Science’s expertise demonstrated in our successful development of LAEPs for the South West Wales Region and Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. As the tenth-largest urban local authority in England, BCP presents a unique opportunity to showcase our industry-leading approach to local engagement and our deep understanding of the needs of local and coastal communities.
The primary objectives of this LAEP include:
- Creating a comprehensive baseline representation of the BCP region’s current energy landscape
- Developing and modelling future energy scenarios
- Producing carbon reduction pathways tailored to the local context
- Crafting a prioritised action plan to support decarbonisation efforts
Our LAEP encompasses all areas of the energy system, including generation, storage, industry, commercial, institutional/public sector, domestic, and transport sectors. This holistic approach ensured that we addressed the unique needs of the local landscape while aligning with broader regional and national climate goals.
Key Stages for LAEP Delivery
To achieve these objectives, our project was structured into six key stages:
1. Stakeholder Identification and Engagement
We begin with a comprehensive stakeholder mapping workshop in collaboration with BCP Council. This will inform our engagement strategy throughout the LAEP process, involving key stakeholders to gain an accurate understanding of BCP’s unique coastal urban environment.
2. Representing the BCP Area
Using a multitude of data sources and input from stakeholders, we’ll create a baseline model of BCP’s current energy system, incorporating specific evidence from regional plans and studies.
Figure: Average EPC Rating by MSOA within the BCP region
3. Modelling Options for BCP’s Future
We employed a zonal approach, to model BCP’s energy system in a Net Zero scenario. Our spatial zones was based on the local electricity grid infrastructure, supporting Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (the Distribution System Operator) in understanding capacity improvement needs.
4. Scenario Refinement and Selection
We analysed scenarios using techno-economic methods and stakeholder input, refining a net-zero pathway specific to BCP.
5. Actions, Priorities and Decisions
We developed a long-list of actions through Action Development Workshops, followed by quantitative appraisal, gap analysis, and prioritisation. We ensured that the action plan addresses the unique needs of Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole while identifying synergies across the conurbation.
6. Create the Plan
We consolidated our results into two detailed LAEP documents for BCP: a main report presenting a clear visualisation of BCP’s future energy system and action roadmap, and a comprehensive Technical Annex providing details on modelling, assumptions, and additional information.
We delivered a robust, data-driven, and locally tailored LAEPs that will guide BCP Council’s efforts in achieving its ambitious carbon neutrality goals. Our team has been excited to bring our expertise and innovative approaches to this project, contributing to the sustainable future of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.