District Heating and Cooling
District heating and cooling systems distribute heat and cooling from a central location to residential and commercial buildings. Hot water, steam or cold water is produced at a central plant and distributed through a pipe network. These systems can integrate renewable energy sources like waste heat, geothermal energy, biomass, and renewable electricity. They are seen as a key component in reducing urban carbon footprints and enhancing energy efficiency.
Efficiency is crucial for the economic and environmental impact of district heating systems. Factors like heat losses, production efficiency, and renewable integration determine overall performance. Advanced thermal storage and smart grid technologies are being explored to optimize operations. Durability and longevity of infrastructure are also important, requiring regular maintenance and upgrades.
The market for district heating is growing as cities seek sustainable heating solutions. Business models often involve public-private partnerships, utility companies, or municipal ownership, providing stable revenue and attracting investment, together with a green development.
Sector coupling integrates energy systems across sectors to improve efficiency and sustainability. In district heating, this can involve using excess renewable electricity to produce heat, balancing the grid and utilizing otherwise wasted energy. This approach enhances system flexibility and supports higher renewable energy integration.
Research at the Division of Sustainable Energy Systems and the Department of Energy Sciences includes applied research on full-scale district heating and cooling systems, focusing on efficiency, thermal management, renewable integration, asset management, market models, sector coupling and energy security.
Contact
Martin Tunér
martin [dot] tuner [at] energy [dot] lth [dot] se (martin.tuner@energy.lth.se)
+46731521521, +46462224050