ABSTRACT
The transition toward a sustainable energy future, fostered by the recent European directives, requires a huge deployment of renewable and energy efficiency to reduce fossil fuels consumption in both energy production and end use in order to respond to the urgent energy and climate challenges. Moreover, energy and climate planning deal with interconnected systems (energy supply, transport, households, etc.) requiring operational planning tools capable to take into account multiple needs and constraints. In this framework, local and regional authorities have a key role in the achievement of the EU 2020 and 2030 Climate and Energy policy objectives, as they are responsible for the definition and implementation of energy policies as well as of infrastructures and services management. However, despite the large number of decision support tools made available by the scientific community, 14decision-makers are still reluctant to utilize analytical methodologies to support the policy-making process and their little knowledge of local energy systems represents still a main barrier. Besides that, energy awareness of consumers represents a pivotal issue to be taken into account as behavioral changes can strongly contribute to increase energy efficiency. It is therefore necessary to promote the use of consolidated and widespread methodologies for strategic planning as well as to foster voluntary initiatives and the implementation of soft measures through an active engagement of stakeholders.
