IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/recore/v96y2015icp31-39.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Assessing the climate impact of district heating systems with combined heat and power production and industrial excess heat

Author

Listed:
  • Olsson, Linda
  • Wetterlund, Elisabeth
  • Söderström, Mats

Abstract

Heat demand is a large contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the European Union (EU), as heat is largely produced using fossil fuel resources. Extended use of district heating (DH) could reduce climate impact, as DH systems can distribute heat produced in efficient combined heat and power (CHP) plants and industrial excess heat, thus utilising heat that would otherwise be wasted. The difficulty to estimate and compare GHG emissions from DH systems can however constitute an obstacle to an expanded implementation of DH. There are several methods for GHG emission assessments that may be used with varying assumptions and system boundaries. The aim of this paper is to illuminate how methodological choices affect the results of studies estimating GHG emissions from DH systems, and to suggest how awareness of this can be used to identify possibilities for GHG emission reductions. DH systems with CHP production and industrial excess heat are analysed and discussed in a systems approach. We apply different methods for allocating GHG emissions between products and combine them with different system boundaries. In addition, we discuss the impact of resource efficiency on GHG emissions, using the framework of industrial symbiosis (IS). We conclude that assessments of the climate impact of DH systems should take local conditions and requirements into account. In order for heat from CHP production and industrial excess heat to be assessed on equal terms, heat should be considered a by-product regardless of its origin. That could also reveal opportunities for GHG emission reductions.

Suggested Citation

  • Olsson, Linda & Wetterlund, Elisabeth & Söderström, Mats, 2015. "Assessing the climate impact of district heating systems with combined heat and power production and industrial excess heat," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 31-39.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:recore:v:96:y:2015:i:c:p:31-39
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2015.01.006
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921344915000075
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.resconrec.2015.01.006?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Persson, Urban & Werner, Sven, 2012. "District heating in sequential energy supply," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 123-131.
    2. Beretta, Gian Paolo & Iora, Paolo & Ghoniem, Ahmed F., 2012. "Novel approach for fair allocation of primary energy consumption among cogenerated energy-intensive products based on the actual local area production scenario," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 44(1), pages 1107-1120.
    3. Münster, Marie & Morthorst, Poul Erik & Larsen, Helge V. & Bregnbæk, Lars & Werling, Jesper & Lindboe, Hans Henrik & Ravn, Hans, 2012. "The role of district heating in the future Danish energy system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 48(1), pages 47-55.
    4. Fredrik Burström Von Malmborg & Anna Forsberg, 2003. "Choice Of Energy Data In Environmental Assessment Of The Built Environment," Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management (JEAPM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 5(01), pages 83-97.
    5. Henning, Dag & Trygg, Louise, 2008. "Reduction of electricity use in Swedish industry and its impact on national power supply and European CO2 emissions," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(7), pages 2330-2350, July.
    6. Martin, Michael & Svensson, Niclas & Fonseca, Jorge & Eklund, Mats, 2014. "Quantifying the environmental performance of integrated bioethanol and biogas production," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 109-116.
    7. Laura Sokka & Suvi Lehtoranta & Ari Nissinen & Matti Melanen, 2011. "Analyzing the Environmental Benefits of Industrial Symbiosis," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 15(1), pages 137-155, February.
    8. Rezaie, Behnaz & Rosen, Marc A., 2012. "District heating and cooling: Review of technology and potential enhancements," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 2-10.
    9. Thollander, P. & Svensson, I.L. & Trygg, L., 2010. "Analyzing variables for district heating collaborations between energy utilities and industries," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(9), pages 3649-3656.
    10. Johansson, Maria T. & Söderström, Mats, 2011. "Options for the Swedish steel industry – Energy efficiency measures and fuel conversion," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(1), pages 191-198.
    11. Svensson, Inger-Lise & Moshfegh, Bahram, 2011. "System analysis in a European perspective of new industrial cooling supply in a CHP system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(12), pages 5164-5172.
    12. Persson, Urban & Werner, Sven, 2011. "Heat distribution and the future competitiveness of district heating," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(3), pages 568-576, March.
    13. Johansson, Daniella & Rootzén, Johan & Berntsson, Thore & Johnsson, Filip, 2012. "Assessment of strategies for CO2 abatement in the European petroleum refining industry," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 42(1), pages 375-386.
    14. Schreiber, A. & Zapp, P. & Markewitz, P. & Vögele, S., 2010. "Environmental analysis of a German strategy for carbon capture and storage of coal power plants," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(12), pages 7873-7883, December.
    15. Lund, Henrik & Werner, Sven & Wiltshire, Robin & Svendsen, Svend & Thorsen, Jan Eric & Hvelplund, Frede & Mathiesen, Brian Vad, 2014. "4th Generation District Heating (4GDH)," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 1-11.
    16. Holmgren, Kristina & Gebremedhin, Alemayehu, 2004. "Modelling a district heating system: Introduction of waste incineration, policy instruments and co-operation with an industry," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 32(16), pages 1807-1817, November.
    17. Åberg, M. & Henning, D., 2011. "Optimisation of a Swedish district heating system with reduced heat demand due to energy efficiency measures in residential buildings," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(12), pages 7839-7852.
    18. Odenberger, M. & Unger, T. & Johnsson, F., 2009. "Pathways for the North European electricity supply," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(5), pages 1660-1677, May.
    19. Peter Nijkamp & Karima Kourtit, 2013. "The “New Urban Europe”: Global Challenges and Local Responses in the Urban Century," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(3), pages 291-315, March.
    20. Gronkvist, Stefan & Sandberg, Peter, 2006. "Driving forces and obstacles with regard to co-operation between municipal energy companies and process industries in Sweden," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(13), pages 1508-1519, September.
    21. Carlson, Annelie, 2003. "Energy systems and the climate dilemma: Reflecting the impact on CO2 emissions by reconstructing regional energy systems," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 31(10), pages 951-959, August.
    22. Knutsson, David & Werner, Sven & Ahlgren, Erik O., 2006. "Combined heat and power in the Swedish district heating sector--impact of green certificates and CO2 trading on new investments," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(18), pages 3942-3952, December.
    23. Difs, Kristina & Danestig, Maria & Trygg, Louise, 2009. "Increased use of district heating in industrial processes - Impacts on heat load duration," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(11), pages 2327-2334, November.
    24. Magnusson, Dick, 2012. "Swedish district heating—A system in stagnation: Current and future trends in the district heating sector," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 449-459.
    25. Borrion, Aiduan Li & McManus, Marcelle C. & Hammond, Geoffrey P., 2012. "Environmental life cycle assessment of lignocellulosic conversion to ethanol: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(7), pages 4638-4650.
    26. Åberg, M. & Widén, J. & Henning, D., 2012. "Sensitivity of district heating system operation to heat demand reductions and electricity price variations: A Swedish example," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 41(1), pages 525-540.
    27. Connolly, D. & Lund, H. & Mathiesen, B.V. & Werner, S. & Möller, B. & Persson, U. & Boermans, T. & Trier, D. & Østergaard, P.A. & Nielsen, S., 2014. "Heat Roadmap Europe: Combining district heating with heat savings to decarbonise the EU energy system," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 475-489.
    28. Holmgren, Kristina, 2006. "Role of a district-heating network as a user of waste-heat supply from various sources - the case of Göteborg," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 83(12), pages 1351-1367, December.
    29. Dotzauer, Erik, 2010. "Greenhouse gas emissions from power generation and consumption in a nordic perspective," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(2), pages 701-704, February.
    30. Anna Wolf & Mats Eklund & Mats Söderström, 2007. "Developing integration in a local industrial ecosystem – an explorative approach," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 16(6), pages 442-455, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Ye, Bin & Yang, Peng & Jiang, Jingjing & Miao, Lixin & Shen, Bo & Li, Ji, 2017. "Feasibility and economic analysis of a renewable energy powered special town in China," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 40-50.
    2. Luo, Ao & Fang, Hao & Xia, Jianjun & Lin, Borong & jiang, Yi, 2017. "Mapping potentials of low-grade industrial waste heat in Northern China," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 335-348.
    3. Marco Ravina & Costanza Gamberini & Alessandro Casasso & Deborah Panepinto, 2020. "Environmental and Health Impacts of Domestic Hot Water (DHW) Boilers in Urban Areas: A Case Study from Turin, NW Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-18, January.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Weinberger, Gottfried & Amiri, Shahnaz & Moshfegh, Bahram, 2017. "On the benefit of integration of a district heating system with industrial excess heat: An economic and environmental analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 191(C), pages 454-468.
    2. Amiri, Shahnaz & Weinberger, Gottfried, 2018. "Increased cogeneration of renewable electricity through energy cooperation in a Swedish district heating system - A case study," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 116(PA), pages 866-877.
    3. Persson, U. & Möller, B. & Werner, S., 2014. "Heat Roadmap Europe: Identifying strategic heat synergy regions," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 663-681.
    4. Sandvall, Akram Fakhri & Ahlgren, Erik O. & Ekvall, Tomas, 2016. "System profitability of excess heat utilisation – A case-based modelling analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 424-434.
    5. Sayegh, M.A. & Danielewicz, J. & Nannou, T. & Miniewicz, M. & Jadwiszczak, P. & Piekarska, K. & Jouhara, H., 2017. "Trends of European research and development in district heating technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 68(P2), pages 1183-1192.
    6. Persson, Urban & Wiechers, Eva & Möller, Bernd & Werner, Sven, 2019. "Heat Roadmap Europe: Heat distribution costs," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 604-622.
    7. Zhang, Lipeng & Gudmundsson, Oddgeir & Thorsen, Jan Eric & Li, Hongwei & Li, Xiaopeng & Svendsen, Svend, 2016. "Method for reducing excess heat supply experienced in typical Chinese district heating systems by achieving hydraulic balance and improving indoor air temperature control at the building level," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 431-442.
    8. Gebremedhin, Alemayehu, 2012. "Introducing District Heating in a Norwegian town – Potential for reduced Local and Global Emissions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 300-304.
    9. Werner, Sven, 2017. "International review of district heating and cooling," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 617-631.
    10. Jie, Pengfei & Kong, Xiangfei & Rong, Xian & Xie, Shangqun, 2016. "Selecting the optimum pressure drop per unit length of district heating piping network based on operating strategies," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 341-353.
    11. Li, Yu & Rezgui, Yacine & Zhu, Hanxing, 2017. "District heating and cooling optimization and enhancement – Towards integration of renewables, storage and smart grid," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 281-294.
    12. Werner, Sven, 2017. "District heating and cooling in Sweden," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 419-429.
    13. Rismanchi, B., 2017. "District energy network (DEN), current global status and future development," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 571-579.
    14. Mathiesen, B.V. & Lund, H. & Connolly, D. & Wenzel, H. & Østergaard, P.A. & Möller, B. & Nielsen, S. & Ridjan, I. & Karnøe, P. & Sperling, K. & Hvelplund, F.K., 2015. "Smart Energy Systems for coherent 100% renewable energy and transport solutions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 139-154.
    15. Danica Djurić Ilić, 2020. "Classification of Measures for Dealing with District Heating Load Variations—A Systematic Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-27, December.
    16. Ommen, Torben & Thorsen, Jan Eric & Markussen, Wiebke Brix & Elmegaard, Brian, 2017. "Performance of ultra low temperature district heating systems with utility plant and booster heat pumps," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 544-555.
    17. Averfalk, Helge & Werner, Sven, 2020. "Economic benefits of fourth generation district heating," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    18. Soltero, V.M. & Chacartegui, R. & Ortiz, C. & Velázquez, R., 2016. "Evaluation of the potential of natural gas district heating cogeneration in Spain as a tool for decarbonisation of the economy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(P3), pages 1513-1532.
    19. Lake, Andrew & Rezaie, Behanz & Beyerlein, Steven, 2017. "Review of district heating and cooling systems for a sustainable future," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 417-425.
    20. Rezaie, Behnaz & Reddy, Bale V. & Rosen, Marc A., 2014. "An enviro-economic function for assessing energy resources for district energy systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 159-164.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:recore:v:96:y:2015:i:c:p:31-39. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Kai Meng (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/resources-conservation-and-recycling .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.