In the heart of the energy transition, small- and medium-sized communities are emerging as unlikely heroes, according to groundbreaking research from Christina Valeska Sager-Klauss of Delft University of Technology. Published in *A+BE: Architecture and the Built Environment* (which translates to *Architecture and the Built Environment*), her work sheds light on the critical role these communities play in reshaping our energy landscape.
Sager-Klauss’s research zeroes in on the practical challenges and opportunities faced by local decision-makers as they navigate the complex terrain of energy transition. “Energy systems are complex,” she notes, “but they are still perceived to be important. The question is, what are the right steps to take?”
To answer this, Sager-Klauss and her team developed a framework to help communities anchor long-term energy transition visions in their development plans. They reviewed existing indicator systems and adapted them to the needs of smaller communities, emphasizing the importance of a clear, long-term energy vision. “The definition of a clear long-term target or ‘energy vision’ supports the implementation of measures because it facilitates communication and controversy,” Sager-Klauss explains.
One of the most significant hurdles they encountered was data—or rather, the lack of it. “Data describes the status quo and gives necessary information on the complex system interactions and influence factors,” Sager-Klauss says. To tackle this, they created a transparent and adjustable spreadsheet model to generate scenarios for case studies. They also leveraged geographic information systems (GIS) to integrate different data types, even when fragmented or incomplete.
The results were eye-opening. The base-case scenario revealed that existing measures were already yielding good results, but more was needed for long-term success. The renewable energies scenario, for instance, showed an unexpected increase in CO2 emissions, highlighting the importance of considering all development parameters. Meanwhile, the efficiency scenario—focused on demand reduction—delivered the fastest and best results for global environment indicators, demonstrating the power of combining efficiency measures with renewable energy strategies.
Sager-Klauss’s work offers a roadmap for communities looking to make a difference in the energy transition. “Stakeholders in small- and medium-sized communities should be encouraged by the outcomes of the thesis to take initial steps on the energy transition path,” she advises. “The results that can be reached with state-of-the-art technologies are very encouraging.”
For the energy sector, this research underscores the importance of local implementation. While megacities often steal the spotlight, it’s the countless small initiatives that will drive meaningful change. As Sager-Klauss puts it, “Energy transition on a large scale depends on the local implementation.”
This research not only provides a practical toolkit for communities but also offers a compelling narrative for the energy sector. By empowering small- and medium-sized communities, we can accelerate the energy transition and create a more sustainable future. And as Sager-Klauss’s work shows, the path forward is not only clear but also within reach.