Development of innovative small(micro)-scale biomass-based CHP technologies

Research Project, 2014 – 2017

In a future where excess generation and curtailment of renewable energy sources is a significant challenge, district heating could play a key role by using excess consumption for generating heat and storing it in storage tanks and/or the district heating grid. Several previous studies have identified district heating as a potential technique for large scale storing of electricity. Such an application is appealing, since it potentially enables a more efficient usage of RES, utilizes existing resources (district heating grid), replaces more expensive technologies in the energy mix, integrates energy markets yielding an increase of efficiency and reduction of system costs and decreases the volatility of the spot price on the electricity market which is beneficial. To adequately assess the role of district heating and the benefit in a reality as described previously, a case study will be conducted on an existing district heating system.