District heating, a futureproof and sustainable heating system 

We explain the concept of district heating from the point of view of a household. Currently, the most popular heating system is an individual gas boiler. However, this is not necessarily the most efficient and sustainable method. District heating is the concept of one large central renewable heating source instead of many individual boilers. We create heat in one central location and transport the hot water then via a underground network of insulated pipes to individual buildings.  

For the central heating centre, there are many options as an energy source such as ondeep geothermal energy and deep geothermal energy. In addition, the waste heat from a industrial process injected into the heat grid. Finally, local biomass plants delivering heat to the heat grid.

In the recently closed climate agreement heat networks are one of the most important alternatives to natural gas. The biggest advantage of this system is that we sustainable heat e.g. hot wastewater from factories or companies, which is currently mostly just wasted, can be given a useful new use. Cost-effective, sustainable and a textbook example of a circular system thus. Indeed, once the water has delivered its heat to a user, the cold water also returns to the central heating point to be reheated and recirculated. 

To illustrate: Thanks to a heat transport network operated by Eneco in cooperation with the Port of Rotterdam, 45,000 households in Rotterdam are provided with hot water to heat their homes. By not throwing away this industrial residual heat, but putting it to good use, they were able to achieve a CO2 reduction of 60%. 

Currently, there are still some challenges as with any major innovative project. Indeed, one obstacle is the high initial cost of launching this piece of new infrastructure. Despite that initial investment governments and investors will certainly be able to reap the benefits in the end. A neatly constructed and well-maintained heat grid goes After all, such a 60 years along. 

In addition, a end-user concerns about the price of this type of heat. This is because the heat grid is still in its infancy in most places, so households in this transition period often only one supplier left can choose and thus do not yet have the freedom to switch to a cheaper competitor. The price of heat from the heat grid will be legally determined, however never higher its then the price of heating with natural gas. The price of renewable heat from a heat grid is also almost not subject to the fluctuations that fossil fuels, for example, are currently undergoing as a result of the covid crisis and the war in Ukraine. Fortunately, a solution to these concerns is obvious: When more and diverse energy sources will inject heat into the heat grid in the future, consumers will have more choice between providers. We will also be less dependent on foreign influences in the energy market because district heat will always be generated as locally as possible.

Shelfs without naturegas we can do at home obtain hot water. This with a much reduced environmental impact and ultimately to the same or even a lower price. What changes physical in our huizen? We laat a 'heat interface unit' or simply delivery set from the heatede city water install in our technical room. Through radiators or underfloor heating, we can then heat our home and can we also shower thanks to the hot water from the heat grid. We can still individually control our own temperature requirements.

Sources: 

• RTL News  
• NOS 
• Province of South Holland  
• Eneco
• Vattenfall 
• Rehau 
• Eteck energy companies 
• Here - climate office 
• City Beautiful - the amazing details of city planning and urban design