Analysis of District Heating and Cooling Energy Systems in Spain: Resources, Technology and Management

Beatriz María Paredes-Sánchez, José Pablo Paredes, Natalia Caparrini and Elena Rivo-López
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Beatriz María Paredes-Sánchez: School of Mining, Energy and Materials Engineering of Oviedo (EIMEM), University of Oviedo, 33004 Oviedo, Spain
José Pablo Paredes: School of Mining, Energy and Materials Engineering of Oviedo (EIMEM), University of Oviedo, 33004 Oviedo, Spain
Natalia Caparrini: Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Engineering, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain
Elena Rivo-López: Department of Business Organization and Marketing, Faculty of Business and Tourism, University of Vigo, 32004 Ourense, Spain

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 10, 1-22

Abstract: District heating and cooling (DHC) systems play an important role under the new European Union (EU) energy transition strategy. Thermal energy networks are helping to stimulate the development of alternative technologies based on a broad range of renewable energy sources. The present study analysed the current situation of DHC systems in Spain and provides an overview of the challenges and future opportunities that their use will entail. Its objective is to assess thermal energy conversion and management from a holistic perspective, including a study of existing energy infrastructures. The focus of this study lies on Spain given the country’s abundance of natural resources such as renewable energy sources including solar energy, biomass and geothermal energy, among others, as well as its strategic location on the map of the EU. Based on the analysis of the three factors for energy conversion in a district heating system, namely resources, technology, and management, the methodology provided an assessment of the different factors involved in running a DHC system. The results show an estimated total production for DHC networks of 1448 MW th , of which 72% is supplied purely by renewable energy sources.

Keywords: energy conversion; energy management; technology; thermal system (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:10:p:5442-:d:553650

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