IEA DHC Annex TS2 – Implementation of Low Temperature District Heating Systems

Third generation district heating technology including high temperatures was implemented when fossil fuels were used and when buildings had high heat demands. In the future, these preconditions will change and district heating will use renewable and recycled sources to heat buildings with low heat demands. Apart from conventional renewable energy flows such as solar and wind energy there are also low temperature heat sources readily available in cities (metro systems, ventilation systems, from chilling processes, sewage water and other).

The fourth generation district heating technology will be able to make use also of such, untapped, heat sources.

The IEA DHC Annex TS2 objective is to facilitate the implementation of 4GDH. It is a framework that promotes the creation of preconditions for 4GDH implementation with an international group of experts. In TS2, five thematic areas will be explored.

1. Technology: the necessary technological solutions for 4GDH implementation inside the building.

2. System functioning: focused on how well the technology operates on the overall system level.

3. Demonstration: Analyses and evaluation of demonstration projects

4. Competitiveness: previous demonstrators are evaluated and efficient business models for 4GDH are explored.

5. Dissemination and Handbook: collection of results and development of a handbook

The intention is to reach the objective of increased 4GDH implementation by providing recommendations, best-practice examples and background material for designers and decision makers in the fields of building, energy production/supply and politics.

The five themes will be summarized and the information generated will be disseminated in the form of a handbook. The handbook will be complemented by training workshops for academics, users, DH industry and policy makers.