Accurate and user-friendly tools for local energy planning

For low carbon district/urban energy planning, several computational tools have been developed although guidelines for a more diffuse use in common planning out of the academic ambit are needed. We first assessed 17 selected easy-access and well documented tools based on: analysis type, operation spatial scale, outputs time scale, use and licence. Hence, we identified 6 tools that enable both energy calculations and outputs visualization on hourly base and can be considered as viable of widespread use. General information, functionalities, structure, graphic user interface, required input data and outputs were described. A plenty of information is provided on the data quality and level of details and the related constraints to implement an energy system analysis. The possible final user is guided in choosing the tool based on the related outputs and potentialities, but also on available data for a given context and the required skills.