By Susanne Togeby, AAU Communication and Public Affairs
Photo: Jelena Nikolic, Department of Sustainability and Planning 
Translation: Tanja Sørensen, AAU Communication and Public Affairs

The Department of Sustainability and Planning was present when the conference "The 10th European Conference on Sustainable Cities & Towns" took place in Aalborg in early October 2024. Associate Professor Peter Sorknæs gave a presentation on the future energy consumption of cities for heating and cooling, as municipalities work towards decarbonizing the energy system with a significant increase in renewable energy.

What should cities and municipalities keep in mind as they aim to reduce carbon emissions with large amounts of renewable energy? Here are Peter Sorknæs' key points:

• The entire municipality's energy system must be understood in context in order for possible synergies to become visible.
• It is important that the municipalities focuses on local needs, resources and their opportunities to reduce energy consumption – especially in buildings.
• The energy systems of cities are also closely connected to the national energy system and the international resource consumption. The amount of biomass that can be used for energy purposes plays a significant role.
• In their planning, municipalities should consider how to manage energy consumption in industries with substantial exports beyond the municipality and the country (such as Aalborg Portland in Aalborg), as well as how to track the transport of goods and people.

The presentation was based on the results of an analysis conducted in collaboration with Aalborg Municipality in 2019, which explored what the municipality's energy system could look like with 100% renewable energy. Peter Sorknæs emphasizes that the principles are still relevant. 

Read more here: Smart energy cities in a 100% renewable energy context.