District heating as part of the energy system: An environmental perspective on 'passive houses' and heat replacing electricity use

Other conference contribution, 2010

Energy use for space heating, hot tap water and other heat use at comparatively low temperature levels represent a substantial part of the total energy use in Sweden and countries with similar climate. It is thus of importance to meet this demand in a way generating as small environmental impact as possible. However, it is possible to create a system with higher environmental impacts with energy efficient buildings compared to less energy efficient buildings through choice of less good energy carriers. It is not enough that the individual parts of a system are good and efficient to give a low environmental impact; the parts must be connected into the system in a good way. From environmental perspective energy efficient buildings and district heating don't oppose each other - good parts connected in a good system will give an optimal. The results from the study of the three items of household equipment show possibilities for district heating to be an alternative with good environmental performance, but not under all heat generation regimes.