Carbon Neutrality in Municipalities: Balancing Individual and District Heating Renewable Energy Solutions

Lauma Balode (), Beate Zlaugotne, Armands Gravelsins, Oskars Svedovs, Ieva Pakere, Vladimirs Kirsanovs and Dagnija Blumberga
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Lauma Balode: Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Riga Technical University, Azenes Street 12/1, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
Beate Zlaugotne: Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Riga Technical University, Azenes Street 12/1, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
Armands Gravelsins: Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Riga Technical University, Azenes Street 12/1, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
Oskars Svedovs: Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Riga Technical University, Azenes Street 12/1, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
Ieva Pakere: Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Riga Technical University, Azenes Street 12/1, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
Vladimirs Kirsanovs: Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Riga Technical University, Azenes Street 12/1, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
Dagnija Blumberga: Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Riga Technical University, Azenes Street 12/1, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 10, 1-19

Abstract: Carbon neutrality in municipalities can be achieved by combining individual heating and district heating solutions involving the use of renewable energy sources. Each approach has advantages and disadvantages, but the best solution depends on the specific circumstances of each municipality. As an environmentally friendly and efficient energy use, a decentralised heat supply contributes to achieving energy conservation and emissions reduction goals. Decentralised energy use, such as solar collectors with thermal energy storage or biomass as a resource, reduces dependence on centralised heat generation and transmission. The appropriate infrastructure for connection to district heating networks has not yet been built. On the other hand, it is easier to make investments to construct proper infrastructure in the case of large-scale centralised heat supplies. Moreover, a centralised heat supply with renewable energy sources can provide more inhabitants with renewable heat energy. Within the framework of the study, the possibilities of using renewable energy sources in one of the municipalities of Latvia—the Carnikava parish of Ādaži Municipality—are analysed. The study examines two scenario complexes including individual heating solutions in buildings or district heating solutions with a centralised approach. The study evaluates several alternatives to increase the share of RES (solar collectors, biomass, heat pumps, etc.) in the centralised heat supply. To evaluate individual RES solutions in various municipal buildings, this study evaluates alternatives with different technical solutions that increase the use of RES in heat supply.

Keywords: carbon neutrality; municipalities; individual heating; district heating; renewable energy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:10:p:8415-:d:1152894

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