CHP & DISTRICT HEATING


Amager Slope, a combined heat and power waste-to-energy plant and recreational facility situated in Amager, Copenhagen, featuring a dry ski run, hiking trail and climbing wall, claimed to be the cleanest incineration plant in the world


Warming cities, curbing emissions


If Europe is to succeed in meeting its ambitious plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, then more innovative methods will be needed to conserve energy. Here, Ulrik Vadstrup shares some insight on how electrification systems are playing a key role in creating sustainable urban landscapes.


Ulrik Vadstrup


Regional Europe segment sales manager HVAC at ABB Motion


www.new.abb.com/ motors-generators


D


istrict heating and cooling (DHC) systems have built a strong reputation as a sustainable solution, utilising


low-carbon sources such as biomass, geothermal energy, and excess heat. However, the real advancement in cutting down carbon emissions in urban heating occurs when electrification becomes part of the equation. Integrating DHC systems and electricity networks represents a major leap forward in achieving sustainable heating and cooling in urban areas worldwide. This article examines the potential


of combining electrification and DHCs to secure substantial energy savings and highlights the leading technologies driving sustainable urban heating. These technologies include ultra-low harmonic drives, large-scale compressors, and optimisation software which are crucial in managing energy flows and maintaining supply-demand balance. Electrification in sustainable urban heating includes the increasing integration of renewable energy sources, rather than fossil fuels, to minimise environmental impact. However, the deep-rooted reliance on fossil fuels and their established


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infrastructure has largely caused resistance to renewable energy for DHCs. Historically, oil and gas were considered low-cost energy sources. Yet rising oil prices are making alternative electricity generation more attractive, especially for heating systems with an electrical component. These systems can utilise diverse energy sources, including renewables, reducing their vulnerability to oil price fluctuations. Despite the perception of fossil


fuel technologies as more reliable for consistent heat than intermittent sources like wind and solar, technological advancements are unlocking the synergy between DHCs and electrification. Consequently, the quality and efficiency of electrical grid power are being improved, strengthening the case for renewable energy sources.


Single source Combined heat and power (CHP) systems generate electricity and proper heat simultaneously from a single energy source, resulting in significantly improved efficiency compared to separate electricity and heat generation methods. Single energy sources include biomass, or excess heat, reducing environmental impact and resource consumption. By utilising excess heat that would


otherwise be disposed of, CHPs reduce the need for conventional heating fuels and minimise the environmental impact of district heating systems, promoting sustainability. These systems also


integrate seamlessly with different renewable energy sources and play a crucial role in maintaining grid stability by swiftly switching between alternative heat sources. In Broager, Denmark, an


underground water source was vital in providing carbon-neutral heating to an entire town. Aiming for carbon neutrality, Broager District Heating (BDH) successfully tackled the challenge of meeting the energy needs of a small community of around 1,200 people by harnessing solar and geothermal energy, utilising local groundwater, and employing advanced technologies. These included a first-of-its-kind groundwater heat pump system, a vast solar thermal collector system, and an electrical boiler for heating the cool groundwater. Advanced variable speed drives (VSDs) and motors from ABB are instrumental in optimising the system’s performance. The geothermal heat pump,


which extracts thermal energy from underground water, is a prominent system feature. It delivers an impressive coefficient of performance (COP) of 4, generating 4 kW of heat for every 1 kW of electricity input. ABB’s drives regulate the


compressor motor speeds, ensuring improved efficiency and delivering significant energy savings of up to 60 percent. The user-friendly nature of ABB drives simplifies operation and maintenance. BDH’s dedication to sustainability


led to an almost 100% carbon-neutral facility.


Energy saving In district energy systems, motors usually run continuously at full speed. Operators use inefficient, energy- wasting mechanical methods like throttling to adjust fan airflow or pump flow. However, adopting VSDs can significantly reduce energy consumption in heat generation by adjusting motor speed to match specific requirements. Depending on the application, operators can generally expect energy savings of 20 to 60%. It’s also possible to further


reduce energy consumption in heat generation, transmission, and distribution. Pairing VSDs with the latest IE4 or IE5 efficiency class motors instantly reduces a facility’s carbon footprint. Moreover, given the current rise in energy prices, the payback period for investments is frequently achieved in under one year. Ultra-low harmonic (ULH)


drives offer an added opportunity to enhance energy efficiency. These drives minimise electrical disturbances and reduce power losses to ensure a smoother and more efficient conversion of electrical energy into mechanical power. As facility managers strive for optimal performance, integrating smart sensors and connectivity devices is becoming increasingly common. Advanced drive systems can now


automatically detect blockages in air systems, lubrication needs, and potential bearing failures in heat pumps. With sensors throughout the DHC system, proactive maintenance becomes possible, enabling operators to address issues before they escalate into major problems. The true synergy with the electrical


grid comes to light when the entire DHC system can be monitored and optimised in an integrated manner across all energy streams, greatly reducing carbon emissions and energy costs while improving the resilience of the heating and electrical grids through added forecasting and optimal planning. This is particularly valuable in


congested areas, where technical limits are quickly reached in normal operations, leading to unplanned downtime. Fortunately, these software applications have undergone extensive development and stand as strong, established technologies. ■


EIBI | MARCH 2024


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