Assessment tools for sustainable district development

: an analysis of the implementation of energy aspects in sustainability assessment tools for district development

Abstract

The EOS-LT Transep-DGO research program tries to stimulate the transition towards cnergy-ncutral districts in 2050, by developing a back casting tooi which supports municipal decision makers in the early design stages of district devclopment. First, five Dutch assessment tools for districts are analyzed. These tools are compared with each other and with the Transep-DGO tooi. Furthermore, a Monte Carlo Analysis with linear regression is conducted with the Transep-DGO tooi to obtain insight in the sensitivity of the input parameters towards the output and the uncertainty of the output due to the uncertainty of the input parameters. Finally, the Transep-DGO tooi is evaluated and compared with OEI, another energy tooi for districts. For this comparison, the district 'de Waalsprong' in Nijmegen (NL) is used as casestudy. Results of the Monte Carlo Analysis show that the input parameters associated with the largest sensitivity are linked to the energy generation by the sun - available roof area and efficiency of PV -panels - within the district's boundaries. These input parameters are the cause of the uncertain results of the Transep-DGO tooi. The comparison of the Transep-DGO tooi with OEI shows that Transep-DGO handles the waste heat from an incineration plant differently than OEI. In other concepts there are small ditTerences in estimating the efficiencies ofthe used techniques. The Transep-DGO tooi lacks the possibility to evaluate and assess the financial aspectsof district development. When these financial aspects will have been implemented, the Transep-DGO tooi will be a good actdition to the current range of assessment tools for sustainable district development. With the tool's back casting philosophy, it can play an important role in the transition towards energy-neutral districts in 2050.

Date of Award	30 Jun 2011
Original language	English
Supervisor	Jan L.M. Hensen (Supervisor 1), B. Blocken (Supervisor 2) & Eric M.M. Willems (External coach)