Introduction of the plan4.energy planning tool for sustainable neighborhood development

On May 23, 2024, the innovative planning tool "plan4.energy" was presented at the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology. This digital tool is specially designed for the sustainable development of Plus-Energy-Quarters (PEQ). Plus-energy quarters are energy-efficient urban districts that cause no CO2 emissions and manage a local surplus production of renewable energy. The aim is to cover the energy requirements of the districts with local and regional renewable energy sources for heat and electricity. The topic of "heating and cooling based on wastewater energy" was covered by the Rabmer company in the project.

Advantages of the plan4.energy planning tool

"plan4.energy" offers simple identification and evaluation of measures for the sustainable and energy-efficient development of neighborhoods. It enables the exchange of energy across building boundaries and evaluates the resulting synergies. This enables neighborhoods to identify development paths towards plus-energy that are both technically feasible and economically viable. The tool is aimed at mayors, urban planners, planning offices, architects, business park operators, building management companies and housing developers.

The intensive collaboration in the research project between research (AIT), energy consulting (Energy Compass) and industry partners (Fronius, Siemens, Renault, Siblik, Cancom, Rabmer) using innovative technologies from the electricity, heating, cooling and mobility sectors made it possible to develop this innovative tool. Future users can identify the greatest levers for sustainable neighborhood development through consultations and make an economic assessment of the necessary investments.

Our role in the project

As part of the project, Rabmer was responsible for the area of "energy from wastewater" and the use of this sustainable energy source for heating and cooling buildings in the planning of neighborhoods. Our expertise helped to ensure that this innovative and environmentally friendly technology forms an integral part of the sustainable energy supply in plus-energy districts right from the start of the planning phase.

"plan4.energy" is now available for users and offers practical support in the planning and implementation of sustainable district developments. For more information and to arrange a consultation, please visit www.plan4.energy