Solar heat improves energy security, keeps heat costs stable for at least 20 years and cuts air pollution in towns and cities. To encourage more mayors, local council members and municipal utilities to look into this cost-effective solution, researchers working on IEA Task 55, Towards the Integration of Large SHC Systems into District Heating and Cooling Networks, published the brochure Solar Heat for Cities in November.
The SHC Task 55 of the International Energy Agency aims to develop technical and economic requirements for the commercial market introduction of solar district heating and cooling (DHC) for a broad range of countries. The activities aim to improve technological know-how, market know-how and understanding of the boundary conditions as well as to provide expert know-how for project initiation and implementation and for training. This consumer promotion material includes 11 infographics that illustrate solar district heating (SDH) technologies, their advantages and market growth. The files, available in English, German and French, can be downloaded in JPG or PDF format and can be used free of charge in third-party publications.
“SDH markets are growing in Denmark, Germany and China, and new markets are starting to emerge, for example, in France, Italy, Poland and Spain,” explained Sabine Putz, Chair of Task 55. “With this brochure, we aim to address new investors and local decision-makers.” The case studies into successful SDH projects shown in Solar Heat for Cities brochure are real-world testimony to the benefits of solar district heating for municipalities. Satisfied SDH investors explain why they chose a specific mix of technologies, including solar energy, to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels or lower heat prices for their customers. The logic behind this approach is: “If it works for them, it could work for us too.”
The brochure showcases nine SDH systems built in Austria, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Latvia and Serbia. The infographic above shows a usual set-up and main elements of SDH systems.
The brochure and the information charts were sponsored by the following Task 55 participants, in cooperation with the Belgian-based European Copper Institute: Solites (Germany), Solareast Arcon-Sunmark Large-Scale Solar Systems Integration (China), Aalborg CSP (Denmark), newHeat (France), Savosolar (Finland) and Greenonetec (Austria).
Download the SDH infographics here.
Download the ‘solar heat for cities’ brochure here.
Images: IEA SHC Task 55
Source and full article: solarthermalworld.org