Heat Pumps Integration Trends in District Heating Networks of the Baltic States

Abstract

AbstractClimate change considerations stimulate to switch to wider use of renewable energy sources for electricity generation. However in case of solar and wind energy, the use is burdened with non-regular generation trends. Electricity storage technologies, for example heat pumps, are observed as a potential technology to solve the non-regularity issue of the renewable electricity generation, reduction of fossil fuel generated greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the share of renewables in energy production sector. The process of heat pumps integration in district heating system can differ for each heating and electricity production and distribution system.Energy system's behaviour types plays significant role while performing an integration efficiency analysis. The present paper analyses the possibilities of integration of heat pumps in district heating systems of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania as a tool for accumulation of renewable resources generated electricity