Decarbonization of a district heating system with a combination of solar heat and bioenergy: A techno-economic case study in the Northern European context

Elina Mäki; Lotta Kannari; Ilkka Hannula; Jari Shemeikka

doi:10.1016/j.renene.2021.04.116

Decarbonization of a district heating system with a combination of solar heat and bioenergy: A techno-economic case study in the Northern European context

Elina Mäki^*, Lotta Kannari, Ilkka Hannula, Jari Shemeikka

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review

33 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We study the role of solar heat in decarbonization of a Nordic district heating (DH) network, where most of the annual heat demand is satisfied with bioenergy. We use actual data from a Finnish municipality to create a dynamic model of the heating system with Apros® simulation software. With the help of modelling, we examine various decarbonization scenarios for the existing heating system, using different combinations solar thermal collectors, thermal energy storage (TES) and limitations on how and when solar heat can access the system. According to results, zero emissions during the summer can be achieved with annual solar share of 13.2% and at 44 €/MWh levelized cost of heat (LCoH), if the integration is supported by TES and a careful planning of solar heat integration. Our results show that a simple approach of pursuing for a maximal solar share does not necessarily lead to a reduction in carbon emission or in LCoH. In fact, aiming at higher solar shares of 15–25% in our case system, actually increase greenhouse gas emissions compared to the base case. This highlights the importance of focusing on emissions reductions instead of simple addition of renewable energy when DH utilities plan for solar heat investments.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1174-1199
Number of pages	26
Journal	Renewable Energy
Volume	175
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.04.116
Publication status	Published - Sept 2021
MoE publication type	A1 Journal article-refereed

Funding

This work was supported by research project “VaBiSys − Value-optimised use of biomass in a flexible energy infrastructure” funded under the ERA-Net Bioenergy network and BESTF3 ERA-Net co-fund mechanism (reference BEN11-17-28 ); research project “MODER − Mobilization of innovative design tools for refurbishing of buildings at district level” (grant number 680447 ) funded by European Commission under Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.

Keywords

Bioenergy
Biomass
District heating
Energy production
Flexibility
Solar heat

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.renene.2021.04.116

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title = "Decarbonization of a district heating system with a combination of solar heat and bioenergy: A techno-economic case study in the Northern European context",

abstract = "We study the role of solar heat in decarbonization of a Nordic district heating (DH) network, where most of the annual heat demand is satisfied with bioenergy. We use actual data from a Finnish municipality to create a dynamic model of the heating system with Apros{\textregistered} simulation software. With the help of modelling, we examine various decarbonization scenarios for the existing heating system, using different combinations solar thermal collectors, thermal energy storage (TES) and limitations on how and when solar heat can access the system. According to results, zero emissions during the summer can be achieved with annual solar share of 13.2\% and at 44 €/MWh levelized cost of heat (LCoH), if the integration is supported by TES and a careful planning of solar heat integration. Our results show that a simple approach of pursuing for a maximal solar share does not necessarily lead to a reduction in carbon emission or in LCoH. In fact, aiming at higher solar shares of 15–25\% in our case system, actually increase greenhouse gas emissions compared to the base case. This highlights the importance of focusing on emissions reductions instead of simple addition of renewable energy when DH utilities plan for solar heat investments.",

keywords = "Bioenergy, Biomass, District heating, Energy production, Flexibility, Solar heat",

author = "Elina M{\"a}ki and Lotta Kannari and Ilkka Hannula and Jari Shemeikka",

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year = "2021",

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doi = "10.1016/j.renene.2021.04.116",

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AU - Hannula, Ilkka

AU - Shemeikka, Jari

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AB - We study the role of solar heat in decarbonization of a Nordic district heating (DH) network, where most of the annual heat demand is satisfied with bioenergy. We use actual data from a Finnish municipality to create a dynamic model of the heating system with Apros® simulation software. With the help of modelling, we examine various decarbonization scenarios for the existing heating system, using different combinations solar thermal collectors, thermal energy storage (TES) and limitations on how and when solar heat can access the system. According to results, zero emissions during the summer can be achieved with annual solar share of 13.2% and at 44 €/MWh levelized cost of heat (LCoH), if the integration is supported by TES and a careful planning of solar heat integration. Our results show that a simple approach of pursuing for a maximal solar share does not necessarily lead to a reduction in carbon emission or in LCoH. In fact, aiming at higher solar shares of 15–25% in our case system, actually increase greenhouse gas emissions compared to the base case. This highlights the importance of focusing on emissions reductions instead of simple addition of renewable energy when DH utilities plan for solar heat investments.

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KW - Flexibility

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Decarbonization of a district heating system with a combination of solar heat and bioenergy: A techno-economic case study in the Northern European context

Abstract

Funding

Keywords

UN SDGs

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