Harnessing Heterogeneity: Understanding Urban Demand to Support the Energy Transition

This thesis demonstrates that heterogeneous spatio-temporal demand profiles are required for a realistic representation of urban energy systems. This is needed to prepare them for the energy transition. Therefore, existing and future urban energy system models should be expanded with more detailed spatio-temporal local demand data that account for both household and non-household consumers, in particular for the thus far omitted service sector consumers. This thesis describes methods and approaches that allow for such detailed modelling of urban demand profiles based on the few publicly available data sources. Using the developed detailed spatio-temporal demand profiles, this thesis provides new insights in the impact of renewable energy resources in realistic, heterogeneous urban areas. The presented results can support governments, communities, and companies in their
endeavours to bring the energy transition to fruition.