A multivalent supply concept: 4th Generation District Heating in Moosburg an der Isar

Abstract

With regard to the decarbonisation of the heating sector, district heating is of paramount importance considering its potential for the efficient utilisation of renewable energies and waste heat sources. Against this background, the transformation and expansion of an existing heating network in the city of Moosburg an der Isar (Germany) is planned within the “District Heating 4.0” funding programme of the German Federal Office of Economic Affairs and Export Control.The innovative concept involves a heat supply based entirely on renewable energies and industrial waste heat. In particular, the integration of unused waste heat from mechanical and chemical industrial processes enables an ecologically and economically optimal supply concept. Depending on the temperature level, the waste heat is fed into the grid directly or by an intermediate heat pump. In addition, solar thermal systems on roofs are integrated into the grid and optimised in terms of efficiency by using a heat storage. Biomass boilers operated by woodchips of waste wood cover peak loads as well as part of the base load and guarantee the security of supply.Considering the overall system behaviour, the multivalent concept is designed to maximise the share of renewable fuel-free heat sources and capitalise on the beneficial marginal costs of waste heat and solar thermal energy. A profitability analysis shows that low heat generation costs can be realised, not least because of the funding of investment costs. In addition to the technical design process and the economic evaluation, the analysis of legal aspects is a key element of this first phase of the project. In further project phases, the implementation of the heating network, the monitoring of the energy flows and the ongoing acquisition of new customers will be carried out.