International News
REPORT: DISTRICT ENERGY CAN
DECARBONISE THE EU HEATING
AND COOLING SECTOR
www.hvacronline.co.za
A
new report from Aalborg University, Denmark shows how
the EU can decarbonise its heating and cooling sector
by 2050 by combining district heating systems with energy
efficiency optimisation.
Heating and cooling is responsible for 50% of the EU final
energy demand. Therefore, tackling this sector is essential
for the EU to meet its target of being carbon neutral by 2050.
District energy can significantly contribute in fact, if EU
member states build a total of 21 500 new district heating
systems and integrate these into smart energy systems, the
Union’s heating and cooling sector can be cost-effectively
decarbonised by 2050.
This is just one of the key findings in a new report issued
by Aalborg University, Denmark. Energy savings will be
substantial, the report says – particularly when district heating
systems are combined with energy efficiency optimisation.
“The report’s findings are very good news for our efforts to
mitigate climate change. Now we have a concrete roadmap
outlining the actions needed to decarbonise heating with the
help of efficient district energy. Not only is decarbonisation
possible with the technologies we have today, it can also
be done in a very cost-efficient way if we act now. And, as
Danfoss, we are ready to help make this happen with our
products and solutions to make district heating systems as
energy efficient as possible” says Lars Tveen, president of
Danfoss Heating.
Low temperature district heating, for example, can
contribute with savings of up to 120 Terawatt hours per
year, an amount equal to the combined district heating
supply in Germany and Denmark today. In such systems, the
temperature of the water, running into homes and buildings
to provide heat, is only about 50° C compared to 70-120° in
traditional systems. This makes systems more efficient and
allows for the integration of more sustainable energy sources,
such as geothermal or waste heat.
In money, the savings will amount to billions of Euros
annually – even when you include the cost of constructing the
district heating systems.
“Net zero emissions in Europe is certainly achievable
technically and economically. It does however require political
changes in regulation. Our research shows that we need more
Net zero emissions in Europe is certainly achievable technically and
economically.
than 21 500 new district heating systems in Europe and a
massive billion Euro investment in better buildings until 2050,”
says Brian Vad Mathiesen, professor in Energy Planning and
Renewable Energy Systems, Aalborg University.
“Third and Fourth generation DHC Systems are the most
efficient way to decarbonise dense areas like city centres, or
tertiary or industrial parks, and will be the backbone of the
sustainable City of Today and of Tomorrow. Engie believes
that modern DHC will create tremendous value for customers
and stakeholders and has identified it as a privileged growth
vector,” says Michael Schack, group director operational
marketing, Global Industrial Hub of Engie.
Danfoss makes a wide range of products and solutions helping
control and cut down energy-use in district heating systems and
buildings, including substations, heat pump components, heat
exchangers, monitoring equipment, and valves.
Danfoss and French utility company Engie have sponsored
the report which was published by Aalborg University. The
report addresses a gap in existing knowledge on how to
decarbonise Europe’s heating and cooling sector. The results
and findings can be found on Alborg University’s website. RACA
RACA Journal I March 2020
13