Use Case 3: Strategic and Building-Level Planning for Low-Carbon and Energy-Efficient Space Cooling

Target Users

Public administrations, industry, policy makers, energy consultants, citizens, energy communities.

User Story Description

Transformations towards more strategic and effective space cooling (SC) solutions are needed. Currently, SC interventions are often implemented at the individual building or flat level, whereas a strategic planning approach could better align with low-carbon targets. Additionally, space cooling interventions at the building scale are increasingly required, and there is a strong need to reduce energy consumption in this sector. The CoolLIFE tool and knowledge hub can contribute by providing data-driven insights into cooling demand, efficiency measures, and financial viability at both the regional and building levels.

Research Questions

How can space cooling interventions be scaled beyond individual buildings to a strategic, low-carbon planning approach that aligns with long-term energy and climate targets?
How can space cooling interventions at the building scale be optimized to reduce energy consumption while ensuring economic feasibility and regulatory compliance?

Calculation Module Use and Order

UC_3

Technology and Measures: The first step in shifting to large-scale SC planning and optimizing building-level cooling interventions is understanding the impact of different cooling technologies on overall energy demand. The Technology and Measures Calculation Module enables users to calculate electricity consumption for space cooling based on cooling degree days and technology efficiency. This module helps assess how different scenarios of technology adoption—such as the increased deployment of energy-efficient air conditioners or alternative cooling solutions—affect electricity demand. At the strategic level, it helps policymakers evaluate technology trends and their implications on regional energy consumption. At the building level, it provides insights into cooling demand in different building types and the impact of efficiency improvements on electricity consumption for cooling supply.
District Cooling: While decentralized cooling solutions such as air conditioners dominate current interventions, large-scale planning requires evaluating the feasibility of district cooling. The District Cooling Calculation Module allows users to spatially assess areas where centralized cooling solutions could be implemented based on cooling demand density. This module provides insights into the viability of network-based cooling, helping policymakers determine where district cooling grids can replace inefficient individual systems and contribute to long-term decarbonization. At the building level, it offers a means for building owners to assess whether their building or neighborhood falls within a potential district cooling zone and whether future connections may be available. This supports informed investment decisions and facilitates the transition towards centralized cooling solutions where feasible.
Economic Feasibility: Large-scale strategic planning and building-level cooling interventions must also consider financial implications. The Economic Feasibility Calculation Module enables users to compare the costs of different cooling scenarios at both the national and building archetype levels. This includes evaluating the economic viability of various passive cooling measures and different development scenarios for active cooling technologies. At the strategic level, it helps policymakers identify the most cost-effective solutions to support large-scale, sustainable cooling strategies. At the building level, it allows users to assess the financial viability of different energy efficiency improvements and technology adoption pathways, ensuring that investments align with economic constraints and long-term cost savings.
Demand-Side Management: An effective low-carbon cooling strategy should incorporate demand-side flexibility. The Demand-Side Management Calculation Module evaluates the potential for demand response and PV self-consumption in cooling demand. This module enables planners to assess how shifting cooling loads can help reduce peak demand, optimize energy use, and integrate higher shares of renewable energy. For large-scale planning, it ensures that increased cooling demand does not lead to grid instability or excessive reliance on fossil fuel-based electricity generation. At the building level, it allows users to analyze opportunities for PV self-consumption and load shifting, helping to reduce energy costs while increasing grid stability and efficiency.
Comfort, Lifestyle, and User Behavior: Moving beyond individual cooling interventions requires understanding how user behavior and thermal comfort expectations influence cooling demand. The Comfort, Lifestyle, and User Behavior Calculation Module provides data on thermal comfort requirements, typical cooling behaviors, and proven behavioral interventions. At the strategic level, it ensures that large-scale planning efforts align with real-world user needs and social acceptance while promoting energy-efficient behaviors. At the building level, it helps users develop effective cooling interventions that balance efficiency with occupant comfort, integrating behavioral considerations into technology and policy decisions.
Legal and Regulatory Layers: To transition from scattered, individual-level cooling interventions to a more coordinated approach, regulatory support is essential. The Legal and Regulatory Layers Calculation Module maps out existing EU and national policies, planning strategies, and building regulations that impact space cooling. At the strategic level, this module helps policymakers identify regulatory gaps, align planning efforts with climate policies, and ensure that legal frameworks support the adoption of large-scale, low-carbon cooling solutions. At the building level, it ensures that proposed cooling interventions comply with national and EU regulations, guiding stakeholders through regulatory constraints and opportunities.
Financial Instruments: The successful implementation of strategic and building-level cooling interventions depends on securing appropriate funding sources. The Financial Instruments Calculation Module provides an overview of available financial mechanisms, including national and EU-level grants, subsidies, and investment schemes. At the strategic level, this module ensures that financial constraints do not hinder large-scale cooling transformation efforts. At the building level, it helps individual building owners and planners identify suitable financial instruments to support the deployment of energy-efficient cooling technologies.

By systematically applying these calculation modules, policymakers, energy consultants, and building owners can develop effective space cooling strategies at both the regional and building scales. This structured approach enables the assessment of cooling technology impacts, the feasibility of district cooling, economic viability, demand-side flexibility, behavioral influences, regulatory alignment, and financial support. The result is a comprehensive, data-driven strategy for transitioning to more sustainable, energy-efficient space cooling solutions while ensuring both large-scale and building-level optimization.

How To Cite

Aadit Malla, in CoolLIFE-Wiki, User Story 3: Strategic and Building-Level Planning for Low-Carbon and Energy-Efficient Space Cooling

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Authors And Reviewers

This page was written by Aadit Malla EEG-TU WIEN.

This page was reviewed by Ardak Akhatova e-think.

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License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 International License.

SPDX-License-Identifier: CC-BY-4.0

License-Text: https://spdx.org/licenses/CC-BY-4.0.html

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Acknowledgement

We would like to convey our deepest appreciation to the LIFE Programme CoolLIFE Project (Grant Agreement number 101075405), which co-funded the present investigation.

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