Influence Issues on Renewable Energy Selection in Urban Areas

Abstract

Urban energy models assume that energy is imported from outside the urban area. Forecast increases in urban population and energy use intensity will increase energy requirements. One alternative is to integrate sources of renewable energy within cities boundaries. To do so, differences in urban form, resources availability, energy requirements, condition of buildings, infrastructure, and population and building density make city-specific analysis necessary. This study identifies 14 factors that urban planners should consider to make the most appropriate technology choices for a given city. Through consultation with 78 experts, the presence of renewable energy sources was selected as the most important factor, followed by economic conditions in the city. The least important factors were environmental consequences of global warming, eutrophication and acidification.