A new era of district heating thinking? Economic feasibility of implementing supra-regional connections of existing district heating networks

Katharina Rusch and Simon Moser

Energy, 2025, vol. 331, issue C

Abstract: Supra-regional district heating networks connect existing district heating networks and can therefore reduce the risk of energy supply disruptions and make better use of sustainable and low-cost energy sources. From an economic perspective, the investment costs for the connection must be offset by the cost advantages that result from the more favorable use of the now shared heating plant park. These potential cost savings can be simulated using the transparent ”Heat Merit Order” model. The economic viability is illustrated using a real Austrian example of two existing district heating networks about 30 kilometres apart. The results suggest that the establishment of a supra-regional district heating network leads to an average cost reduction of 16.3% per year, accompanied by a reduction of CO2 emissions of about 15% per year.

Keywords: District heating network; Economic viability; Waste heat; Business model; Heat merit order; Use case (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:331:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225023060

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.136664

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