Project aims

The 19 project partners from nine Baltic Sea Region (BSR) countries made district heating (DH) in their municipalities or regions, but also on a broader scale in other regions, more sustainable by integrating low temperature district heating (LTDH) solutions in their energy supply systems. To achieve this goal, the “Low Temperature District Heating for the Baltic Sea Region” (LowTEMP) project raised awareness and know-how among the responsible public and private stakeholders about the necessity to deploy sustainable energy supply systems that allow the use of renewable or unused surplus heat and low temperature heat distribution.

LowTEMP provided district heating stakeholders with know-how and strategic tools on how to plan, finance, install and manage LTDH systems.

The project partners jointly developed a knowledge platform on DH in the BSR, assessed the sustainability effects, analysed business models and funding structures for LTDH, as well as developed a training programme to increase know-how and capacities of responsible stakeholders. In addition, pilot energy strategies have been developed for selected municipalities. Also, project partners performed pilot tests of low temperature DH technologies and measures.

Background

The energy demand for heating and cooling in Europe and the Baltic Sea Region is responsible for more than one third of the final energy consumption. Thus, the deployment of more efficient and innovative DH technologies is key to a successful energy management in cities and districts. Efficient DH with LTDH technologies offer new possibilities for increased energy efficiency with reduced fossil energy consumption, which will help to achieve the EU targets in reduction of CO2 emissions.

The LowTEMP project promoted smart and future-oriented heating supply technologies using low temperature grid structures. The targets of the project were in line with the objectives of the Energy Efficiency Directive (2012) and complied to the Renewable Energy Directive (2009) and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2010), which require Member States to develop ambitious policies as regards the use of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency in heating and cooling networks.

The project contributed to the aims of the EU2020, by promoting energy efficiency, the use of renewable sources and reducing CO2 emissions, to national and European spatial development policies as well as the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUSBSR).

The LowTEMP project was supported by the European Union (European Regional Development Fund & European Neighbourhood Instrument) in the frame of the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme 2014-2020.