Future compatibility of district heating in urban areas — a case study analysis in the context of integrated spatial and energy planning
Abstract Background District heating is widely used for thermal energy supply and offers a broad range of benefits like the possibility to integrate decentral heat supply technologies or to foster the utilisation of renewable energy sources. Thus, district heating has the potential to gradually cont...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2019-03-01
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| Series: | Energy, Sustainability and Society |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13705-019-0192-5 |
| _version_ | 1818246992329965568 |
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| author | Peter Lichtenwoehrer Susanna Erker Franz Zach Gernot Stoeglehner |
| author_facet | Peter Lichtenwoehrer Susanna Erker Franz Zach Gernot Stoeglehner |
| author_sort | Peter Lichtenwoehrer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background District heating is widely used for thermal energy supply and offers a broad range of benefits like the possibility to integrate decentral heat supply technologies or to foster the utilisation of renewable energy sources. Thus, district heating has the potential to gradually contribute to a more sustainable thermal energy supply and to consequently facilitate the energy turn. However, due to specific requirements of this technology, strategic planning is required for the successful implementation of district heating networks. Previous research mainly focuses on either economic, environmental, or technological aspects of district heating. This study therefore aims to execute a comprehensive assessment of district heating systems in the following four sections: (1) integrated spatial and energy planning, (2) costs, (3) resources and (4) environment and climate. Methods To this end, the recently developed Eco.District.Heat kit (EDHk) is used to evaluate and rate eight case studies consisting of 14 different urban typologies, while considering the aforementioned sections of interest. The paper applies the EDHk to assess different spatial structures and grid configurations as well as a broad mix of different thermal energy sources. Results With regard to integrated spatial and energy planning (section 1), the assessment shows heterogenous ratings whereas the case studies exhibit quite constant positive ratings with regard to costs (2), environment and climate (4). Although a lot of material is used for the construction of networks (i.e. resources, section 3), the question whether or not to dismantle old grids for resource utilisation cannot be answered definitely. According to our results, future development scenarios in the context of climate change and building renovation until 2050 have little influence on the final ratings. Conclusions Based on the comprehensive assessment of eight case studies, it can be concluded that district heating systems offer a long-term and sustainable solution of heat supply for different spatial archetypes and types of urban fabrics. Furthermore, the proposed methodology allows users to critically examine planned projects and to detect shortcomings at an early planning stage. The EDHk thus provides a suitable methodology to support strategic decisions in integrated spatial and energy planning. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T14:57:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c6e82ab5650842d9b8e02d7771751ba9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2192-0567 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T14:57:37Z |
| publishDate | 2019-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energy, Sustainability and Society |
| spelling | doaj.art-c6e82ab5650842d9b8e02d7771751ba92022-12-22T00:20:52ZengBMCEnergy, Sustainability and Society2192-05672019-03-019111210.1186/s13705-019-0192-5Future compatibility of district heating in urban areas — a case study analysis in the context of integrated spatial and energy planningPeter Lichtenwoehrer0Susanna Erker1Franz Zach2Gernot Stoeglehner3Institute of Spatial Planning, Environmental Planning and Land Rearrangement, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, ViennaInstitute of Spatial Planning, Environmental Planning and Land Rearrangement, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, ViennaAustrian Energy AgencyInstitute of Spatial Planning, Environmental Planning and Land Rearrangement, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, ViennaAbstract Background District heating is widely used for thermal energy supply and offers a broad range of benefits like the possibility to integrate decentral heat supply technologies or to foster the utilisation of renewable energy sources. Thus, district heating has the potential to gradually contribute to a more sustainable thermal energy supply and to consequently facilitate the energy turn. However, due to specific requirements of this technology, strategic planning is required for the successful implementation of district heating networks. Previous research mainly focuses on either economic, environmental, or technological aspects of district heating. This study therefore aims to execute a comprehensive assessment of district heating systems in the following four sections: (1) integrated spatial and energy planning, (2) costs, (3) resources and (4) environment and climate. Methods To this end, the recently developed Eco.District.Heat kit (EDHk) is used to evaluate and rate eight case studies consisting of 14 different urban typologies, while considering the aforementioned sections of interest. The paper applies the EDHk to assess different spatial structures and grid configurations as well as a broad mix of different thermal energy sources. Results With regard to integrated spatial and energy planning (section 1), the assessment shows heterogenous ratings whereas the case studies exhibit quite constant positive ratings with regard to costs (2), environment and climate (4). Although a lot of material is used for the construction of networks (i.e. resources, section 3), the question whether or not to dismantle old grids for resource utilisation cannot be answered definitely. According to our results, future development scenarios in the context of climate change and building renovation until 2050 have little influence on the final ratings. Conclusions Based on the comprehensive assessment of eight case studies, it can be concluded that district heating systems offer a long-term and sustainable solution of heat supply for different spatial archetypes and types of urban fabrics. Furthermore, the proposed methodology allows users to critically examine planned projects and to detect shortcomings at an early planning stage. The EDHk thus provides a suitable methodology to support strategic decisions in integrated spatial and energy planning.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13705-019-0192-5District heatingSpatial planningClimate changeEnergy planningQualitative and quantitative assessmentStrategic decision-making tool |
| spellingShingle | Peter Lichtenwoehrer Susanna Erker Franz Zach Gernot Stoeglehner Future compatibility of district heating in urban areas — a case study analysis in the context of integrated spatial and energy planning Energy, Sustainability and Society District heating Spatial planning Climate change Energy planning Qualitative and quantitative assessment Strategic decision-making tool |
| title | Future compatibility of district heating in urban areas — a case study analysis in the context of integrated spatial and energy planning |
| title_full | Future compatibility of district heating in urban areas — a case study analysis in the context of integrated spatial and energy planning |
| title_fullStr | Future compatibility of district heating in urban areas — a case study analysis in the context of integrated spatial and energy planning |
| title_full_unstemmed | Future compatibility of district heating in urban areas — a case study analysis in the context of integrated spatial and energy planning |
| title_short | Future compatibility of district heating in urban areas — a case study analysis in the context of integrated spatial and energy planning |
| title_sort | future compatibility of district heating in urban areas a case study analysis in the context of integrated spatial and energy planning |
| topic | District heating Spatial planning Climate change Energy planning Qualitative and quantitative assessment Strategic decision-making tool |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13705-019-0192-5 |
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