Techno-economic aspects of district heating and cooling networks supplied by combined heat and power technologies

Al contrario, casos de éxito demuestran que con un adecuado diseño de proyectos, las redes térmicas de distrito pueden ser viables independientemente de las condiciones climáticas. Por ello, esta tesis propone modelos y métodos que pueden facilitar la penetración de redes térmicas de distrito en combinación con tecnologías de cogeneración. En concreto, este trabajo se centra en el análisis de redes térmicas de distrito bajo patrones de uso de energía típicos de países meridionales. El análisis propuesto incluye aspectos técnicos, económicos y políticos. Así, los métodos y resultados incluidos en esta tesis pretenden ser relevantes para legisladores, responsables de planificación energética e inversores energéticos. Fecha de lectura de Tesis Doctoral: 26 de marzo de 2019.La presente tesis se centra en el estudio del papel que las redes de distrito de calor y frío alimentadas por Tecnologías de cogeneración tienen en el sistema energético. Las redes de distrito para el suministro de calor y frío facilitan la utilización de múltiples fuentes de energía y de tecnologías de generación que pueden posibilitar la reducción de emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero asociadas no solo al sector térmico, que incluye el suministro de calefacción y refrigeración, sino también al sector eléctrico. Las redes de distrito constituyen un elemento importante para lograr la integración de los sectores eléctrico y térmico (sector coupling) y son actualmente reconocidas como un elemento fundamental en el futuro del sistema energético. En este sentido, la integración de dichos sectores térmico y eléctrico facilita la utilización efectiva de la generación de energía procedente de fuentes renovables, el incremento de la eficiencia del sistema energético en su conjunto y la reducción de emisiones de CO2. Sin embargo, debido a la complejidad que supone el despliegue y operación de una red térmica de distrito, (incluyendo aspectos técnicos, económicos, políticos y sociales) la utilización de nuevos métodos es necesaria para facilitar la toma de decisiones a la hora de promover la utilización de dichas soluciones. Estos métodos son especialmente necesarios en países del sur de Europa donde la penetración de redes térmicas de distrito es limitada. De forma contraria a lo que sucede en el sur de Europa, las redes de distrito tienen una larga tradición en países del norte de Europa en donde las altas demandas de calefacción facilitan la viabilidad de las mismas. La existencia de estas redes hace que dichos países gocen de una posición de ventaja de cara a afrontar los futuros desafíos del sistema energético. No obstante, este hecho no debe hacer pensar que el éxito de las redes de distrito está exclusivamente vinculado a condiciones climáticas

Case study on the impact of cogeneration and thermal storage on the flexibility of the power system

This work investigates the optimal operation of cogeneration plants combined with thermal storage. To do so, a combined heat and power (CHP) plant model is formulated and incorporated into Dispa-SET, a JRC in-house unit commitment and dispatch model. The cogeneration model sets technical feasible operational regions for different heat uses defined by temperature requirements.JRC.C.7-Knowledge for the Energy Unio

Case study on the impact of cogeneration and thermal storage on the flexibility of the power system

This work investigates the optimal operation of cogeneration plants combined with thermal storage. To do so, a combined heat and power (CHP) plant model is formulated and incorporated into Dispa-SET, a JRC in-house unit commitment and dispatch model. The cogeneration model sets technical feasible operational regions for different heat uses defined by temperature requirements

Achieving the cost-effective energy transformation of Europe's buildings

This report aims to answer the following question: Which are the most cost-effective ways to decarbonise the existing EU building sector through energy renovations? Replying this, we provide a method and a dataset to investigate the cost-optimal level of energy efficiency measures in combination with low carbon heating and cooling solutions. To showcase the application of the method, two EU Member States (Germany and Greece) are examined and targeted renovation solutions are discussed as examples. This work begins with the characterisation of the current state of the very diverse EU building stock. Information is collected from European projects and the EU building observatory. This information is analysed and restructured to provide a harmonised and ready-to-use dataset. This dataset is presented for the two exemplary cases, Germany and Greece. Next, the method developed to assess the combination of insulation measures and efficient heating and cooling supply technologies for the existing residential EU building stock is presented. The method uses the basic principles of Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) from an economic perspective. It allows the evaluation of the energy performance of different energy renovation options and their global costs. Through its application, we identify the cost effective and cost optimal solutions and how much primary energy and greenhouse gas emission reductions they achieve. The study is performed on the existing EU building stock and explores the effect of both the current and future energy system fuel mixes. We consider the 2020 and 2030 fuel energy system mixes to better understand the impact of the power sector to the heating and cooling sector in the built environment. By testing this method in Germany and Greece, we reach valuable results that contribute to a better understanding on how optimal energy building renovation strategies differ in southern and central Europe — when both heating and cooling are considered. The cost-optimal solution requires moderate thermal insulation in southern Europe, while efficient heating and cooling technologies should be prioritised. In other words, deep building envelope renovations are not always cost-optimal, nor do they necessarily maximise the environmental benefits. On the other hand, in central Europe deep energy efficiency improvements are cost-optimal and should be combined with efficient heating and cooling technologies. Based on the outcomes from the two countries we tested, it is concluded that a holistic approach incorporating both energy efficiency and sustainable heating and cooling should be considered when planning the decarbonisation of the building sector. In other words, the transformation of both the energy system and the built environment in particular, has to be designed in coordination to avoid lock-in effects in terms of investments, or over investments in less than cost-optimal energy efficiency renovations, and the shortening of the renovation cycles of buildings. Ultimately, our work aims to set the fact-basis to reply to challenging policy questions on how to transform the built environment in the EU.JRC.C.7-Knowledge for the Energy Unio

Decarbonising the EU heating sector: Integration of the power and heating sector

The heating and cooling sector has been recognised as a priority to achieve the decarbonisation and energy efficiency targets. Heating and cooling in the built environment accounts for almost 40% of the total final energy demand. Since the heat sector has strong interconnections with others it is difficult to study separately. This report is thus focusing on the integration of the heat and power sector and how an effective integration can meet the energy efficiency and the climate change mitigation targets.The first part of the study analyses the heating sector focusing on the built environment describing its detailed energy break down, and related costs, emissions and efficiencies. The concept of system integration of heating and power is analysed presenting its merits and also its challenges. The second part of the study focuses on a detailed model of the European power system. Two main energy transitions of the heat sector were examined from the power system perspective, namely electrification of heat and efficient heat and power production via cogeneration and district heating networks.JRC.C.7-Knowledge for the Energy Unio

SETIS Magazine: Energy efficiency in buildings

This edition of SETIS Magazine takes a closer look at the current status of the EU building stock and its future evolution. It discusses the energy transformation of Europe’s buildings, along with the challenges and policy actions ahead. We bring together experts from the research and policy communities to discuss the most relevant and pressing issues on energy efficiency in buildings today. Their input sheds light on the question: What is the potential contribution of buildings in the transition to climate neutrality in 2050?JRC.C.7-Knowledge for the Energy Unio

Workshop on regional heating and cooling priorities and financing in the framework of the Smart Specialisation Platform (S3P-E H&C)

The Workshop on Smart Specialisation on Heating and Cooling was organised by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, with the support of DG ENERGY and DG REGIO, and held in Brussels in the Conference Centre Albert Borschette, between May 30th and June 1st 2018. The Workshop was focused on two key topics: (1) regional heating and cooling priorities from technology and energy planning perspectives, and (2) heating and cooling financing. The aim of the workshop was to understand the current state-of-play and the expected future of the heating and cooling (H&C) sector across EU regions, to discuss the role of regional authorities and their cooperation with national and EU entities on how to uptake the ESIF funds to decarbonise the heating and cooling sector — including barriers, opportunities and challenges. The Workshop was attended by 40 participants, 18 of them from the regional authorities and regional policy making bodies as regional energy agencies. The eight participating regions/countries were Sofia (Bulgaria), Bulgaria (country), Nord-est (Romania), Slovenia (country), Andalucia (Spain), Western Macedonia (Greece), Castilla-Leon (Spain), Lubelskie (Poland).JRC.C.7-Knowledge for the Energy Unio

Energy R&I financing and patenting trends in the EU: Country dashboards 2017 edition

The report monitors the progress made by EU Member States concerning two key indicators identified in the Integrated Strategic Energy Technology Plan Communication, namely the level investment in R&I (by both the public and private sector) and trends in patents. To do so, a collection of country dashboards are presented containing the relevant information, summarised for each EU Member State and SET Plan action, providing a quick overview of each EU Member State within the European framework. The information presented is produced according to the JRC in-house methodology for monitoring R&I in Low Carbon Energy Technologies and is consistent with the R&I indicators included in the 3rd State of the Energy Union Report.JRC.C.7-Knowledge for the Energy Unio

Regional performance in the Research, Innovation and Competitiveness Priorities of the Energy Union

The Energy Union is one of the 10 political priorities of the current Commission; and comprises five closely interlinked dimensions, the fifth of which addresses research, innovation and competitiveness (RIC). Trends in patents are among the key performance indicators monitored annually to evaluate the contribution of the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan) to the objectives of the Energy Union in a quantifiable way, as part of the reporting on the State of the Energy Union. At regional level, the Commission has called on the relevant authorities to develop smart specialisation strategies for research and innovation, encouraging all European regions to identify their areas of competitive advantage, where research and innovation investment under cohesion policy could be prioritised. This document provides an overview of regional performance in the Research, Innovation and Competitiveness Priorities of the Energy Union through maps.JRC.C.7-Knowledge for the Energy Unio

Mineral status and interrelationship in soil, forage, and blood serum of horses in the rainy and dry seasons

The feeding and nutrition of livestock becomes less of an empirical endeavor when the information necessary to scientifically balance diets is available [1]. Equine performance is influenced by genetic, nutritional, health, and management factors. Thus, optimal nutrition is essential for a foal to achieve maximal performance. Likewise, nutrition is fundamental for husbandry purposes as several reproductive problems due to nutritional deficiencies have been identified [2].The objective was to evaluate the content of P, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Cu, Fe, Zn, Se, and Mn in soil, forage, and serum of horses in several production units (PU) during rainy and dry seasons and predict their concentration in serum from their content in soil and forage. Soil and pastures were sampled in the dry (November–December) and in rainy seasons (June–July), and blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of 76 horses in both seasons at four PU. The experimental design was a completely random design within a 4 2 (PU season) factorial arrangement of treatments. Concentration of minerals in soil differed (P < .05) among PU, and contents of P, Ca, Mg, and K were low; Zn and Fe were high; and Cu and Mn were adequate. Mineral concentrations in forage differed among PU and season, and among PU within season (interaction P <.05). Contents of Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, and Cu were low; Fe was high; and P, K, Se, and Mn adequate. The mineral concentration in equine blood serum differed (P <.05) among PU and season. Overall, there were deficiencies of P, Ca, Mg, Na, Cu, and Se, but adequate amounts of K, Zn, and Fe. There are imbalances of minerals in soil and forages which effected their concentration inequine blood