IEA SHC Task 52 – Solar Heat and Energy Economics in Urban Environments

The ambitious energy and climate policy goals set for 2020 and 2050, like the roadmap of the European Commission of a low-carbon-economy require, especially in urban areas, a global transformation of the energy system. Hence, beside efficient technologies, a reduction of the energy consumption by changing our consumption patterns is needed. Concurrently, the potential of renewable energies has to be expanded. This will lead to a significant change in all energy sectors. Recent discussions regarding the role of solar thermal plants in heat supply systems will increasingly have to be aligned with current and future energy economic developments of, for example, buildings, urban quarters and energy economy in general, when developing energy concepts for urban areas.

The overall goal of the task is hence to analyse sustainable urban energy systems in a holistic way and to define consistent and viable solutions for the integration of solar thermal heat. Besides, achieving an integral analysis of the future energy supply system, the main aim of the IEA SHC Task 52 is to establish resilient planning and decision-making support for urban planners, energy suppliers and stakeholders in the confines of energy polices and thus to increase the know-how of energy consultants concerning advanced energy (planning) systems.

Methodology: Based on the holistic analysis of urban energy supply systems the role of solar thermal is analysed with a horizon of 2050 in the framework of Subtask A. The analysis aims to reflect a combined view considering electricity and heat/cold supply and demand as well as the transport sector. Moreover, in Subtask C best practice examples of solar thermal systems with direct linkage to urban, sub-urban but also municipal environments are investigated in more detail (technical, economic, social) and a methodological approach for the successful integration of solar thermal heat in urban energy systems is provided (Subtask B).

The IEA SHC Task 52 comprises experts from five nations,
the German Fraunhofer Institut für Solare Energiesysteme is working group leader. From Austria AEE INTEC and TU Vienna (EEG) are participating with AEE INTEC being responsible for Subtask C.