Realise the Potential! Cost Effective and Energy Efficient District Heating in European Urban Areas
Licentiatavhandling, 2011

The Member States of EU27 need to accelerate the integration of energy efficient technology solutions to reach the 20% energy efficiency target set for 2020. At current pace, projections indicate that only half of expected primary energy reductions will be reached. To meet the energy demands of growing populations and a vibrant economy, while simultaneously reducing primary energy supplies, the European continent faces a new kind of challenge never previously encountered. The identification and application of feasible, competitive, and comprehensive solutions to this problem are of highest priority if the remaining gap is to be closed in time. How is this multi-dimensional and complex dilemma to be dissolved? In this work, expanded use of district heating technology is conceived as a possible solution to substantially reduce future primary energy demands in Europe. By extended recovery and utilisation of vast volumes of currently disregarded excess heat from energy and industry sector fuel transformation processes, district heating systems and combined generation of heat and power can improve the general efficiency of the European energy balance. To investigate the possible range of this solution, this thesis introduces a set of methodologies, theoretical concepts, and model tools, by which a plausible future excess heat utilisation potential, by means of district heat deliveries to residential and service sectors, is estimated. At current conditions and compared to current levels, this potential correspond to a three-fold expansion possibility for directly feasible district heating systems in European urban areas and a four-fold increase of European excess heat utilisation.

heat utilisation

district heating

excess heat recovery

effective width

distribution capital cost

plot ratio

sequential energy supply

heat density

energy efficiency

EA-salen, Hörsalsvägen 11
Opponent: Docent Louise Trygg, Linköpings Universitet

Författare

Urban Persson

Chalmers, Energi och miljö, Energiteknik

Ämneskategorier

Annan maskinteknik

Energiteknik

Övrig annan samhällsvetenskap

Drivkrafter

Hållbar utveckling

Styrkeområden

Building Futures (2010-2018)

Energi

EA-salen, Hörsalsvägen 11

Opponent: Docent Louise Trygg, Linköpings Universitet

Mer information

Skapat

2017-10-07