BM Retrofit – Development and demonstration of holistic retrofitting concepts for biomassbased district heating networks

Biomass-based district heating networks and systems play a central role in sustainable heat supply covering around 2,400 systems in operation in Austria. Currently and in near future, there is an increased need for retrofitting and modernization of these existing heating networks, especially of the first and second generation, in order to meet current and future technical, economic and regulatory challenges combined with a sustainable and strategic expansion of the heating system.

Within BM Retrofit innovative technical concepts (e. g. flue gas condensation plants, heat pump systems, storage technologies) will be developed accordingly and optimized for efficient system integration (Technology Readiness Level TRL: 6-8). Due to the applied holistic methodology in combination with demonstration, especially the indicators SRL (System Readiness Level)) as well as MRL (Market Readiness Level) are addressed and will be strongly increased from 4 to 6 (SRL) and from 4 to 7 (MRL) respectively. This will ensure that innovative measures can be further improved and integrated, resulting in more sustainable and economical operations associated with reduced resources and environmental savings.

The proposed holistic systemic approach in BM Retrofit results in high synergy potentials to a) adapt and further develop existing district heating networks to meet future requirements, b) achieve corresponding climate goals and c) strengthen economic benefits including local value chain creation.

However, this systemic and holistic approach in the development of retrofitting concepts beyond individual technological solutions and system integration combined with comprehensive involvement of relevant stakeholders including the expansion of services and business models is currently not applied on the market and the available potential is not being fully utilized.