Ultra-low-temperature district heating systems – A way to maximise the ecological and economical effect of an investment?

Abstract

One of the most challenging aspects of a new district heating (DH) design is its general performance, which will determine the ecological and economic impacts of the investment. Choosing the lowest applicable temperatures which are distributed via ultra-low-temperature district heating (ULTDH) systems may yield the desired results. The article elaborates the economic and ecological aspects of the application of ULTDH. The results of the analysis indicate that the capacity factor may be significantly improved, while the overall ecological effects of the investment are strongly dependent on the previously used heat source and the source of electric power.