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District Heating Systems: An Analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats of the 4GDH

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  • Gerald Schweiger

    (Institute of Software Technology, Graz University of Technology, 8010 Graz, Austria)

  • Fabian Kuttin

    (Institute of Systems Sciences, Innovation and Sustainability Research, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria)

  • Alfred Posch

    (Institute of Systems Sciences, Innovation and Sustainability Research, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria)

Abstract

Fourth-generation district heating networks (4GDH) can play a special role in the efficient and climate-friendly use of energy. In this study, we have examined the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of this innovative technology. Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods, we assessed the SWOT-factors in terms of their importance. Among the factors that were weighted with the highest relative importance were the ability of 4GDH to serve as a label bundling and stimulating considerations with respect to the further development of district heating systems and the increased value creation within the national economy through the inclusion of local, renewable energy sources. Moreover, the interviewed experts agreed that regulatory frameworks in the context of 4GDH have to be further developed.

Suggested Citation

  • Gerald Schweiger & Fabian Kuttin & Alfred Posch, 2019. "District Heating Systems: An Analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats of the 4GDH," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:24:p:4748-:d:297342
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    Cited by:

    1. Iva Ridjan Skov & Noémi Schneider & Gerald Schweiger & Josef-Peter Schöggl & Alfred Posch, 2021. "Power-to-X in Denmark: An Analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-14, February.
    2. Anna Grzegórska & Piotr Rybarczyk & Valdas Lukoševičius & Joanna Sobczak & Andrzej Rogala, 2021. "Smart Asset Management for District Heating Systems in the Baltic Sea Region," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-25, January.
    3. Maciej Bujalski & Paweł Madejski, 2021. "Forecasting of Heat Production in Combined Heat and Power Plants Using Generalized Additive Models," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-15, April.
    4. Falay, Basak & Schweiger, Gerald & O’Donovan, Keith & Leusbrock, Ingo, 2020. "Enabling large-scale dynamic simulations and reducing model complexity of district heating and cooling systems by aggregation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    5. Søren Djørup & Karl Sperling & Steffen Nielsen & Poul Alborg Østergaard & Jakob Zinck Thellufsen & Peter Sorknæs & Henrik Lund & David Drysdale, 2020. "District Heating Tariffs, Economic Optimisation and Local Strategies during Radical Technological Change," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-15, March.
    6. Matjaž Perpar & Zlatko Rek, 2021. "The Ability of a Soil Temperature Gradient-Based Methodology to Detect Leaks from Pipelines in Buried District Heating Channels," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-13, September.

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    Keywords

    district heating; 4GDH; SWOT;
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