Low Temperature District Heating as a Key Technology for a Successful Integration of Renewable Heat Sources in our Energy Systems
Abstract
Low temperature district heating is a heat supply technology for efficient, environmental friendly and cost effective community supply. Moreover, it is recognized as a key technology for transforming and a decarbonisation of our heat energy systems by a very efficient integration of renewable energy sources as solar thermal or waste heat energy. The needed technological transformation will result in an efficient elimination of fossil fuel use for heating buildings. The results from the international cooperation activity IEA DHC Annex TS2 on “Implementation of Low-Temperature District Heating Systems” provide simple advice and recipes for obtaining lower network temperatures and other new features in existing and new district heating systems. This ambition is accomplished by summarizing the economic benefits of low-temperature district heating and gained experiences from early adopters in various urban areas throughout Europe. Notably, lessons learned can be applied in new and expanding district heating systems.