Efficient district heating in the future energy system

In the EU and in Denmark, the aim is to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and to use energy more efficiently. District heating and combined heat and power may play an important role for the efforts to achieve this aim. Heat savings may weaken the financial basis for district heating in some areas. At the same time, large amounts of wind power in the electricity system may reduce the operating hours of CHP plants. New technology and altered framework conditions may make individual solutions such as electric heating, heat pumps and micro-CHP more attractive than previously.

 

Therefore, the competitive conditions (from a socioeconomic and a financial point of view) between district heating and other types of heating may change in the future. The question is therefore, to which extent district heating will become part of the answer to future requirements regarding energy efficiency and use of renewable energy.

 

Many new technologies

The aim of this project is to analyse how district heating can develop its role in the future energy system by reducing the energy losses and through dynamic use of both well-known and “new” energy technologies such as heat pumps, geothermal power, district cooling and heat storage. Furthermore, the project aims to explain how the interaction between the electricity market and district heating can be made more efficient, and to point at framework conditions of particular importance to the further development and improved efficiency of district heating. The analyses are made using, among other things, the electricity market model Balmorel.

 

The project is supported by the Energy Research Programme, ERP, and is carried through by the District Heating of the Future Committee of the Danish District Heating Association, Risø, RAM-løse edb and Ea Energy Analyses from April 2007 to December 2008.

 

 

 

Last update 4-01-2010