Carbon Neutrality in Municipalities: Balancing Individual and District Heating Renewable Energy Solutions

Carbon neutrality in municipalities can be achieved by combining individual heating and district heating solutions involving the use of renewable energy sources. Each approach has advantages and disadvantages, but the best solution depends on the specific circumstances of each municipality. As an en...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sustainability 2023-05, Vol.15 (10), p.8415
Main Authors: Balode, Lauma, Zlaugotne, Beate, Gravelsins, Armands, Svedovs, Oskars, Pakere, Ieva, Kirsanovs, Vladimirs, Blumberga, Dagnija
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biomass
Biomass energy production
Boilers
Buildings
District heating
Emissions
Emissions control
Energy conservation
Energy consumption
Energy industry
Energy storage
Heat exchangers
Heat generation
Heat pumps
Heating
Municipalities
Natural gas
Renewable energy sources
Solar collectors
Solar energy
Sustainability
Thermal energy
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Summary:Carbon neutrality in municipalities can be achieved by combining individual heating and district heating solutions involving the use of renewable energy sources. Each approach has advantages and disadvantages, but the best solution depends on the specific circumstances of each municipality. As an environmentally friendly and efficient energy use, a decentralised heat supply contributes to achieving energy conservation and emissions reduction goals. Decentralised energy use, such as solar collectors with thermal energy storage or biomass as a resource, reduces dependence on centralised heat generation and transmission. The appropriate infrastructure for connection to district heating networks has not yet been built. On the other hand, it is easier to make investments to construct proper infrastructure in the case of large-scale centralised heat supplies. Moreover, a centralised heat supply with renewable energy sources can provide more inhabitants with renewable heat energy. Within the framework of the study, the possibilities of using renewable energy sources in one of the municipalities of Latvia—the Carnikava parish of Ādaži Municipality—are analysed. The study examines two scenario complexes including individual heating solutions in buildings or district heating solutions with a centralised approach. The study evaluates several alternatives to increase the share of RES (solar collectors, biomass, heat pumps, etc.) in the centralised heat supply. To evaluate individual RES solutions in various municipal buildings, this study evaluates alternatives with different technical solutions that increase the use of RES in heat supply.
ISSN:2071-1050
2071-1050
DOI:10.3390/su15108415