Calderdale Council has developed a plan to move towards net zero carbon emissions using digital twin technology from climate tech company IES.
It has become the first local authority in West Yorkshire to deliver a local area energy plan (LAEP) using a digital twin.
The council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and has met its 2020 target of reducing carbon emissions by 40%.
Key changes in the new LAEP include upgrades in the area’s grid infrastructure, the provision of 2,100 electric vehicle charging points, replacing fossil fuel heating systems in 100,000 buildings with low carbon alternatives, and retrofitting insulation to over 75,000 homes.
Plan informed by data
Cllr Scott Patient, Calderdale’s cabinet member for climate action and housing, said: “To deliver on our net zero targets, we needed a clear plan informed by data to ensure the decisions we make about energy generation are as effective and sustainable as possible.
“As the first borough in West Yorkshire to use intelligent digital twin technology to inform a LAEP, we’re proud to be setting a positive example for other authorities looking to drive forward their decarbonisation journey. IES provided us with robust data and actionable insights to ensure our plans drive forward our long term vision.”
IES’ project lead, Nick Purshouse, said its digital twin technology “provides a comprehensive, visual model of every building in the area, allowing us to test various low carbon scenarios with scientific accuracy. Our tool not only provides a solid evidence base for decision-making but also enables ongoing monitoring and evaluation of progress.”
The LAEP was launched on 1 November, and the next stage for the council will be to work out how to deliver it by developing business cases for priority projects.
