District Heating and Combined Heat and Power—a Major Contributor to Energy Conservation in Denmark

Abstract

This chapter discusses various aspects of district heating (DH) and combined heat and power (CHP) in Denmark. The first-generation CHP-plants consisted of a large number of diesel engines in local power stations around the country. The second-generation schemes were started in the mid-1970s. The power companies realized that co-generation was also a viable option, and a number of new schemes were established. An important factor in the development of the large CHP schemes was the existence of a great number of local district heating schemes, which could be integrated in the large systems, whereby the desirable shift from oil to coal based CHP has been possible. The district heating scheme of Kalundborg, being an expression of the Danish DH/CHP tradition, has been seen as a success and model for other communities. The extension of the scheme proceeded according to the plan, the number of consumers connected is extensive, and the consumers are satisfied with a competitive, stable, and reliable heat supply. The co-operation with the power station is unproblematic and the air quality of the town has been improved because the pollution from 3500 roof-level chimneys has disappeared.