Abstract
BackgroundIn the past two centuries, energy consumption per capita has significantly increased. At the same time the fundamentals of energy provision have continuously developed towards fossil energy sources. This extended use of finite, unequally distributed and emission-intensive energy sources poses a challenge to both the energy, the climate and therefore the socio-ecological systems. Consequently, solutions are needed to reduce the fossil energy demand while fulfilling our daily energy services. District heating systems powered by renewable energy can contribute to this societal mission.MethodsThis paper presents the co called Eco.District.Heat-kit, a novel planning model supporting future decision-making processes regarding grid-bound heating. The interdisciplinary approach assesses the feasibility of district heating systems at different locations from a qualitative and quantitative perspective. Given the lack of quick and simple planning tools in this field, the Eco.District.Heat-kit provides a time-efficient pre-evaluation on the basis of widely available input data.ResultsThe decision support model rates district heating networks regarding the thematic areas of (1) integrated spatial and energy planning (2) costs, (3) resources, and (4) environment and climate. In addition, it involves a long-term planning horizon by including spatial development and climate scenarios until 2050. Finally, the Eco.District.Heat-kit identifies parameters both positively and negatively influencing the overall rating. This enables end-users to sort out non-optimal configurations before entering a more detailed planning stage.ConclusionsDue to the straightforward methodological approach and the focus on basic parameters of district heating system planning, the Eco.District.Heat-kit supports energy suppliers, urban-planners and decision-makers at the beginning of planning processes. In order to increase both transparency and applicability of the model, its functionality and input parameters are disclosed within this paper, enabling the recreation and adaptation towards user-specific needs and local situations.
Highlights
In the past two centuries, energy consumption per capita has significantly increased
In order to be able to offer this kind of support and to foster the long-term economic and environmental feasibility of district heating systems (DHS) in terms of affordable, acceptable and accessible energy, we identified four thematic areas playing a decisive role: integrated spatial and energy planning (ISEP), costs, resources as well as environment and climate
By applying the EDHk, the sections Integrated spatial and energy planning (ISEP), costs, resources as well as environment and climate gradually come together to form a holistic picture of the DHS under evaluation
Summary
In the past two centuries, energy consumption per capita has significantly increased. At the same time the fundamentals of energy provision have continuously developed towards fossil energy sources. This extended use of finite, unequally distributed and emission-intensive energy sources poses a challenge to both the energy, the climate and the socio-ecological systems. Since the beginning of this millennium, more people are living in urban than in rural areas for the first time in history. This so called “urbanization” leads to the spreading of urban lifestyles especially effective in states with expanding industries and/or low potentials for employment in rural areas [3, 4].
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