Developing methodologies for the integration of low-grade energy sources into high-temperature district heating networks

Introduction

Low2HighDH is a 3-year project supporting 30 high temperature district heating sites (HT DHC) in Lithuania, Poland, and Slovakia in the implementation process of low-grade or waste heat technologies. The project aims to promote the advantages of these energy sources and provide an investment plan to fulfill the proposed criteria for ‘efficient district heating and cooling’ from the Energy Efficiency Directive within a 10-year timeframe.

Support for HT DHC Owners/Managers

The support to the HT DHC owners/managers includes:

1. Launching and managing at least 2 requests for proposals (RFQs) to select the key suppliers for the implementation.
2. Exploring low-grade RES technologies, which will include at least:
   • Solar thermal
   • Low-temperature geothermal
   • Heat pumps

Heat pumps will be considered “the enabling technology” to harness low-grade heat sources as well as to utilize waste heat. Being electrically driven, heat pumps can use renewable electricity, for instance, from wind and photovoltaics.

Capacity Building and Stakeholder Engagement

The project will generate and disseminate capacity building materials to be used by other HT DHC sites or stakeholders. This will include a portfolio of technical and financial solutions that fit with the most abundant situations.

An active engagement, dissemination, and replication phase will be enabled by the creation of a wide network of stakeholders across the 3 case study countries and beyond. This network will consist of:

• 3 national stakeholder communities
• 30 local liaison groups
• A project-wide Ambassador community

Expected Outcomes

The project is expected to trigger EUR 454 Million in investments in sustainable energy (thermal RES technologies + waste heat). It aims to replace 1 TWh/year of fossil fuels and abate 291 Thousand Tons of CO2 emissions.