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Over the past five years, the method of energy potential mapping (EPM) has evolved from a cartoonish charting of climatic features with energy consequences to a detailed methodology for the development of spatial plans based on energy-effective foundations. By means of EPM the rudimentary features and properties of an area are analyzed, made discrete and translated into maps of the specific area (be it a region, city, district or neighbourhood) depicting potentials for energy supply and generation. In the latest studies in accordance with EPM, these energy potential maps are presented as a stack at different heights (above the surface) and depths (underground), showing the maximum potential of an area. Based on these, a proposal can be made for the spatial organization of the area. In the full paper we will discuss the methodology of EPM and exemplify the method by means of recent studies, in particular De Groene Compagnie ('The Green Campaign'), a new development area in the north of the Netherlands, which turned out to have the potential to become energy-productive.Keywords: Sustainable development, Energy potential mapping, Energy neutrality, Heat maps, Spatial planning, Regional development, Urban planning BACKGROUNDAlthough the earth receives almost 9000 times more energy from the sun than that mankind needs, energy is becoming a huge problem. Western societies heavily rely on energy, fossil fuels in particular. The Netherlands for instance produces less than 4% of its energy by means of sustainable sources [1]. The rest is fossils and a bit of imported nuclear energy. As Mackay [2] demonstrated, it is very difficult to establish a society fully run on renewables. However, Cullen and Alwood [3] showed that most of the energy we use is lost as non-functional waste energy. So the initial demand can be reduced by more effective usage, such as by low-exergy means [4].Estimates of resources fluctuate, but it is apparent to both energy experts and oil companies that the end is coming near. We have passed peak oil [5]: these days we consume more oil than can be produced. That this is a literally dangerous situation was demonstrated by the two gulf wars and recent turmoil around gas from Russia (first: Ukraine disconnected, second: Belarus threatening to halt the throughput of Russian gas). Apart from this international perspective and its influence on the price of energy, few people from the West understand how dependent they have become on energy, and that a collapse in the provision would have devastating effects to everyday life.Last but certainly not least, the western hunger -or rather thirst -for energy is severely limiting the opportunities of developing and emerging regions to catch up in prosperity. As Fig.1 indicates, western countries owe their prosperity to limited use of energy in other parts of the world. Needless to say this situation deviates strongly from the equity goals posed by the Brundtland Committee in 1987 [6].The abundance -until now -and relatively cheap and easy access to fossil ...

It is difficult to fully satisfy the energy demand of today's society with renewables. Nevertheless, most of the energy we use is lost as non-functional waste energy, whereas a large part of the built environment's energy demand is only for low-quality energy, so the initial demand for primary, high-quality energy can be reduced by more effective usage, such as by low-exergy means. Gaining insight into the parameters of energy demands and local renewable and residual energy potentials enables matching energy demand with a fitting potential, not only concerning quantity but taking into account location, temporality and quality as well. The method of Energy Potential Mapping (EPM) aims to visualise the energy potentials and demands by making information of quantity, quality and location of demand and supply accessible. The aspect of quality specifically applies to heat and cold. The methodology of EPM will be described and explained with case studies. The focus specifically lies on mapping heat (and cold), one of the main reasons for energy demand in the built environment. The visualisation of exergy, to be simplified as the quality of energy, becomes an extra parameter in the case of Dutch Heat Maps. These maps can help finding opportunities of practical implementations of exchanging or cascading heat or cold. This way EPM and Heat Mapping (HM) enables application of exergy principles in the built environment. EPM and HM can be seen as a local energy catalogue and can be useful in spatial planning for energy-based urban and rural plans.

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