The District Heating (DH) Knowledge Platform provides essential information and data on the status quo of existing district heating systems and already implemented advanced technologies like smart thermal grids and low-temperature solutions in the countries of the Baltic Sea Region (BSR). It also provides information on the evaluation of DH performances and the development of low-temperature district heating (LTDH) strategies. A set of ICT tools can be applied to analyse different factors, e.g. heat loads.
Efficient district heating (DH) systems are an important component to achieve sustainable energy supply and thus contribute to reducing energy waste and greenhouse gas (CO2) emissions. To support this, the LowTEMP project raises know-how among the responsible public and private stakeholders on the necessity to deploy smart and sustainable energy supply systems. These systems allow the use of renewable or unused surplus heat and low-temperature heat distribution.
The DH Knowledge Platform was developed as an essential information and data collection, providing a basis for all relevant actors intending to learn about and install modernised heating strategies and systems. To achieve this, the LowTEMP partners collected DH data in their countries, e.g. on the efficiency of existing heating systems, heating demand, grid operators and the use of renewables, and compiled further relevant information, e.g. on the assessment of the sustainability of DH systems and LTDH cases. The DH ranking and comparison tool helps to compare and analyse data on heat and energy performance of different regions for the potential development of a LTDH strategy. When moving towards LTDH, the platform also makes available information on the development of LTDH strategies, financing schemes and business models. Through this comprehensive knowledge platform, municipal representatives responsible for energy management, heat suppliers and energy utilities, energy agencies, planners and engineers get an insight into the necessity of future sustainable DH concepts and by this, are supported in the planning and management of existing and future energy supply systems.
In the frame of the LowTEMP project, partners also develop comprehensive learning material on innovative strategies and tools to plan, finance and manage LTDH systems until the end of 2020. Training materials will be available for other BSR municipalities, energy agencies, planners, and DH suppliers, thus increasing the durability of the project knowledge and outcomes. As an essential information and database, the DH Knowledge Platform supports the capacity building that takes place via this training program.