Role of energy system models in municipal decision-making processes in Denmark*

Cities and towns worldwide are the leaders of energy transition. In Denmark, Copenhagen is a well-known case - but middle-sized municipalities such as Helsingør and Sønderborg are also notable examples. To succeed with their ambitious goals, urban areas need coherent and implementable sustainable urban energy strategies. Energy system models can provide support for municipal energy strategies e.g. through the design of Tools examined in this study pathways, feasibility assessment, cost calculation etc. - especially at the national level. However, energy system models are often developed outside municipal contexts, so their actual applicability and usefulness for policy is debatable. This exploratory study focuses on the relevance of energy modelling for municipal energy planning. We interviewed practitioners from three Danish municipalities to examine their use of modelling tools and
modelling outputs. The paper contributes to the knowledge on energy planning and best practice development in relation to stakeholder involvement, participative planning and open source models.