scholarly journals Fitting geothermal energy into the energy transition

2019 ◽  
Vol 98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel P. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Geothermal Energy ◽  
District Heating ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Heat Sources ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Energy Consideration ◽  
Seasonal Heat ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Base Load ◽  
Heating Networks

Abstract This article attempts to identify the main ‘above-ground’ factors which impact on the contribution that geothermal energy can make to the Dutch Energy Transition, and to draw conclusions about these factors. Recent literature sources are used to illustrate the size of Dutch heating demand, and the part of this which can be provided by geothermal energy. Consideration is given to the impact of off-take variability over time, showing that the base-load nature of geothermal doublets acts as a restraint on the share which they can take in the energy supply. The characteristics of district heating grids are discussed. Other potential sources of heat are considered and compared. The conclusion is that geothermal energy can provide a material contribution to the energy transition. This depends to a large extent on the existence of and design choices made for the development of district heating networks. Large size and standardisation, and the development of seasonal heat storage, are beneficial. Unlike most other renewable sources of heat, which have alternative ‘premium’ applications such as the provision of ‘peak capacity’ or molecules for feedstock, geothermal energy is not suitable for other uses. The emission savings that it can provide will be lost if other heat sources are chosen in preference as supply for district heating, so that it makes sense that district heating infrastructure should be designed to encourage the use of geothermal energy where possible.

scholarly journals Developing a combinatorial optimisation approach to design district heating networks based on deep geothermal energy

2019 ◽  
Vol 251 ◽  
pp. 113367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jann Michael Weinand ◽  
Max Kleinebrahm ◽  
Russell McKenna ◽  
Kai Mainzer ◽  
Wolf Fichtner
Keyword(s):  
Geothermal Energy ◽  
District Heating ◽  
Combinatorial Optimisation ◽  
Deep Geothermal Energy ◽  
Heating Networks

scholarly journals Evaluating the impact of multi-carrier energy storage systems in optimal operation of integrated electricity, gas and district heating networks

2020 ◽  
Vol 176 ◽  
pp. 115413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Amin Mirzaei ◽  
Morteza Nazari-Heris ◽  
Kazem Zare ◽  
Behnam Mohammadi-Ivatloo ◽  
Mousa Marzband ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Storage Systems ◽  
District Heating ◽  
Optimal Operation ◽  
Energy Storage Systems ◽  
Carrier Energy ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Heating Networks

scholarly journals Heat Pump Use in Rural District Heating Networks in Estonia

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 786-802
Author(s):  
Kertu Lepiksaar ◽  
Kiur Kalme ◽  
Andres Siirde ◽  
Anna Volkova
Keyword(s):  
Heat Pump ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
District Heating ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Heat Pumps ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Rural District ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Heating Networks

Abstract District heating has proven to be an efficient way of providing space heating and domestic hot water in populated areas. It has also proven to be an excellent way to integrate various renewable energy sources (RES) into the energy system. In Estonia, biomass covers most of the heat demand, but carbon-intensive fuels are still used to cover peaks and lows. Heat pumps can be a good solution for rural areas, as there is usually plenty of land available for heat pump facilities. In addition, heat pumps require low-grade heat sources such as ambient air, groundwater, lakes, rivers, sea, sewage water, and industrial waste heat. One of the downsides of heat pumps is the need for large investments compared to boilers fired by natural gas and biomass, and electric boilers. This study examines the impact of heat pump use on consumer prices for district heating in rural district heating networks in Estonia.

Characterisation of the Dogger and Trias deep ressources in Orléans Métropolis, Centre-Val de Loire region, France : 3D geomodel and first geothermal potential assessment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginie Hamm ◽  
Laure Capar ◽  
Perrine Mas ◽  
Philippe Calcagno ◽  
Séverine Caritg-Monnot
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Geothermal Energy ◽  
District Heating ◽  
Geological Model ◽  
Paris Basin ◽  
Reservoir Properties ◽  
Geothermal Resources ◽  
Geothermal Well ◽  
Geothermal Potential ◽  
Heating Networks

<p>In Ile-de-France region, in the center of Paris Basin, geothermal energy contributes to a large extent to the supply of heating networks with about 50 of the 70 deep geothermal installations dedicated to district heating in France. Those installations mainly exploit the Dogger limestones between 1500-2000 m deep, which are present throughout the Paris Basin. In the case of Centre Val-de Loire region, south of Paris Basin, deep geothermal energy is very little developed, only one geothermal well is currently in operation and targeting the Triassic aquifer at Chateauroux on the southern edge of the basin. A former doublet had also targeted the Trias at Melleray (Orléans metropolis) in the 1980’s but was shut down after one year due to reinjection problem.</p><p>In 2019, Orléans metropolis, in collaboration with BRGM, has launched a program in order to investigate its deep geothermal resources like the Dogger and Trias aquifers between 900 m and 1500 m deep. This action is in line with Orléans métropolis Territorial Climate Air Energy Plan (PCAET) and master plan for the heating networks adopted which foresee 65 000 additional dwellings to be connected using geothermal energy based heating networks.</p><p>In order to reduce the risks of failure of deep geothermal drilling, one of the prerequisites is a better knowledge of the subsurface. This requires the development of an accurate 3D subsurface geomodel as well as the most reliable possible hydrodynamic and thermal parameters to assess the geothermal potential. The purpose of this work was to produce a 3D geological model of the Dogger and Triassic units, on the scale of Orléans Metropolis, based on hydrocarbon and geothermal well data as well as interpretation of 2D seismic data. Seismic data acquired in the 1960s and the 1980s were processed and interpreted. A particular attention was paid to the Sennely fault and its geometry. It crosses the study area and was interpreted as a relay fault segmented in three parts. The horizon picking points were then converted from two-way time to depth and integrated in the GeoModeller software for the development of the 3D geomodel. It was then used for first hydrothermal simulations in order to assess the theorical potential of the Dogger and Trias aquifers at Orléans metropolis.</p><p>The 3D geomodel and first geothermal potential assessment have allowed defining areas of interest for geothermal development into the Dogger or Trias. However an initial exploratory drilling well or additional exploration techniques will be necessary to confirm/specify the reservoir properties (useful thickness, porosity, permeability) and the connectivity of the reservoir(s) and the flow rates that can actually be exploited, which cannot be predicted by the current geological model.</p>

scholarly journals Supra-Regional District Heating Networks: A Missing Infrastructure for a Sustainable Energy System

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 3380
Author(s):  
Simon Moser ◽  
Stefan Puschnigg
Keyword(s):  
Waste Heat ◽  
District Heating ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Heat Sources ◽  
Transmission Networks ◽  
Implementation Challenges ◽  
Sustainable Energy System ◽  
Heating Networks

In analogy to electricity transmission networks, this paper analyzes the concept of supra-regional district heating networks (SR-DHN), connecting a large number of actors. Using a back-casting approach, a SR-DHN is assumed to exist and thus, implementation challenges, such as economic feasibility and energy losses, are circumvented in the first step (but are analyzed in the discourse). The paper then analyzes, in an interdisciplinary qualitative manner and supported by a case study, what technical, operational, economic and legal issues must have been resolved. Results show that the heat transmission network, being the backbone of the SR-DHN, is an expensive infrastructure, but is likely to become economic in a non-fossil energy system. By decreasing the reliance on single waste heat sources, SR-DHN allows longer payback periods and can thus be an enabler for using industrial waste heat. However, involving many actors requires comprehensive contractual foundations. The derived hypothesis is that SR-DHN, which is predominantly fed by waste heat, shall be operated with lower temperatures in winter (feeding the return while minimizing expensive winter losses) and high temperatures in summer (enabling alternative usages while accepting high but inexpensive summer losses).

Life cycle assessment of base–load heat sources for district heating system options

2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 212-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeed Ghafghazi ◽  
Taraneh Sowlati ◽  
Shahab Sokhansanj ◽  
Xiaotao Bi ◽  
Staffan Melin
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
District Heating ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Heat Sources ◽  
District Heating System ◽  
Base Load

scholarly journals District heating network modelling for future integration of solar thermal energy

2021 ◽  
Vol 2042 (1) ◽  
pp. 012089
Author(s):  
Clement Dromart ◽  
Loïc Puthod ◽  
Jérôme H. Kämpf ◽  
Diane von Gunten
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Models ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
District Heating ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Solar Thermal Energy ◽  
Network Modelling ◽  
Thermodynamic Conditions ◽  
Solar Thermal Collectors ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Heating Networks

Abstract A key advantage of district heating networks is their ability to integrate different renewable energy sources, from geothermal to solar. However, the success of this integration depends on a variety of design and technical decisions, such as feed-in locations or operating temperatures, which need to be compared and analysed. For this purpose, dynamic models of district heating grids, which allow for an hourly representation of the thermodynamic conditions, are necessary. This type of models are nevertheless still uncommon, drastically limiting options to perform these comparisons accurately. To address this challenge, an open-source tool to model district heating networks is presented here and successfully applied to two case studies in western Switzerland. These simulations are then used in conjunction with simplified models of storage and solar thermal collectors to investigate, in a preliminary way, the impact of solar thermal integration on the mass flow and temperature of the network pipes, illustrating the interest of the proposed method to compare different configurations of renewable heat injections in district heating networks.

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