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District Heating Challenges for the UK

Author

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  • Michael-Allan Millar

    (College of Science and Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK)

  • Neil M. Burnside

    (College of Science and Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK)

  • Zhibin Yu

    (College of Science and Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK)

Abstract

District heating uptake has grown with the increasing need for cleaner and more efficient energy supply. This has resulted in a rising number of new developments signing up to a district heating scheme, typically powered by Combined Heat and Power (CHP) boilers or biomass boilers with supplemental electrical or gas grid connections. These schemes have advanced rapidly in recent years, with much of the research focus targeting lower carbon technologies, improved load prediction and peak demand management. We assess the current status of District Heating Networks (DHNs) in the United Kingdom using published case studies and suggest next steps to improvement. Our findings show that the United Kingdom has good potential for uptake of district energy given the current political climate and government incentives, however significant improvements must be made to further penetrate the heating market.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael-Allan Millar & Neil M. Burnside & Zhibin Yu, 2019. "District Heating Challenges for the UK," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-21, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:2:p:310-:d:199198
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Miguel Gonzalez-Salazar & Thomas Langrock & Christoph Koch & Jana Spieß & Alexander Noack & Markus Witt & Michael Ritzau & Armin Michels, 2020. "Evaluation of Energy Transition Pathways to Phase out Coal for District Heating in Berlin," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-27, December.
    7. Rae, Callum & Kerr, Sandy & Maroto-Valer, M. Mercedes, 2020. "Upscaling smart local energy systems: A review of technical barriers," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    8. Dorota Anna Krawczyk & Tomasz Janusz Teleszewski, 2019. "Reduction of Heat Losses in a Pre-Insulated Network Located in Central Poland by Lowering the Operating Temperature of the Water and the Use of Egg-shaped Thermal Insulation: A Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-12, June.
    9. Michael-Allan Millar & Bruce Elrick & Greg Jones & Zhibin Yu & Neil M. Burnside, 2020. "Roadblocks to Low Temperature District Heating," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-21, November.
    10. Valeria Palomba & Efstratios Varvagiannis & Sotirios Karellas & Andrea Frazzica, 2019. "Hybrid Adsorption-Compression Systems for Air Conditioning in Efficient Buildings: Design through Validated Dynamic Models," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-28, March.
    11. Brown, Alastair & Foley, Aoife & Laverty, David & McLoone, Seán & Keatley, Patrick, 2022. "Heating and cooling networks: A comprehensive review of modelling approaches to map future directions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 261(PB).
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    13. de Wildt, Tristan E. & Boijmans, Anne R. & Chappin, Emile J.L. & Herder, Paulien M., 2021. "An ex ante assessment of value conflicts and social acceptance of sustainable heating systems," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    14. Florin Iov & Mahmood Khatibi & Jan Dimon Bendtsen, 2020. "On the Participation of Power-To-Heat Assets in Frequency Regulation Markets—A Danish Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-22, September.
    15. Aunedi, Marko & Yliruka, Maria & Dehghan, Shahab & Pantaleo, Antonio Marco & Shah, Nilay & Strbac, Goran, 2022. "Multi-model assessment of heat decarbonisation options in the UK using electricity and hydrogen," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 194(C), pages 1261-1276.
    16. Fuentes González, Fabián & Webb, Janette & Sharmina, Maria & Hannon, Matthew & Pappas, Dimitrios & Tingey, Margaret, 2021. "Characterising a local energy business sector in the United Kingdom: Participants, revenue sources, and estimates of localism and smartness," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 223(C).
    17. Aunedi, Marko & Olympios, Andreas V. & Pantaleo, Antonio M. & Markides, Christos N. & Strbac, Goran, 2023. "System-driven design and integration of low-carbon domestic heating technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).

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