Towards an energy modelling framework for Australian cities

Accountable for more than 70% of the worldwide CO2 emissions (World Energy Outlook Internatioal Energy Agency 2008) and constantly growing, urban metropolises are the key actors of climate change. A rapid transition of urban areas towards energy efficiency is highly required, in particular for the building stock, which represents the main urban energy consumer. In this context, city municipalities, energy suppliers, housing companies and private owners must be mobilized and bonded around a common low-carbon urban energy strategy. GIS simulation offers a first step into the development of this long-term strategy. It has long been applied to demographics, social and economic indicators, housing density, property costs, infrastructure, transport and water consumption. In regard to building energy modelling, it has the potential to move from a basic overview calculation down to a precise diagnosis of consumption; its causes, function, location, and time of use. Furthermore, it can allow for prediction of operational energy and carbon emission savings through identifying retrofitting upgrades and refurbishment priorities. This study demonstrates the potential and implications of an energy modelling framework for Australian cities. A case study of a city’s CBD region that encompasses 665 buildings is modelled in 2D and 3D, comparing residential, commercial and industrial development energy prediction. Several strategies are proposed and investigated towards developing a better understanding and mapping of the energy use at a regional scale, suggesting retrofitting potential, energy targets and infrastructure capabilities.