New technology innovations, digitalization, and more energy-efficient buildings are allowing broader deployment of clean energy technologies in utilizing lower temperature renewable heat sources, according to a new report – Integrating Low-temperature Renewables in District Energy Systems – Guidelines For Policy Maker.
The report was published as cooperation between International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and Aalborg University and offers guidelines, examples, and good advice on facilitating the integration of low-temperature heat sources into district energy systems.
Our very own Eirikur Bragason, CEO of Arctic Green Energy Europe, contributed to this report’s making. The report was launched in a recent workshop that focused on energy solutions for future cities, emphasizing China. On that occasion, Mr. Haukur Hardarson, Founder and Chairman of Arctic Green Energy, gave a speech regarding Arctic Green Energy’s involvement in China’s district heating sector.
Traditionally, district heating systems were built to run at high temperatures to meet the demand from poorly insulated buildings. According to the report, heating accounts for over 50% of global energy consumption worldwide. Most of this demand is met by burning fossil fuels making the sector a significant contributor to air pollution.
The new mix for the district heating systems will be clean energy technologies such as low-temperature geothermal, solar thermal, energy from water bodies, and other low-temperature heat sources. As an example, Mr. Hardarson highlighted that through their JV in China: Sinopec Green Energy has saved the world close to 13 million tons of CO2 over the last decade by connecting about 60 million square meters of floor area to a geothermal district heating system run on low-temperature geothermal heat.
The full report should work as a guidebook for policymakers to facilitate the integration of low-temperature renewables in district energy systems and can be downloaded by clicking the link below.
Read the full report here