Life Cycle Assessment of District Heating Infrastructures: A Comparison of Pipe Typologies in France

Mahaut Vauchez, Jacopo Famiglietti, Kevin Autelitano, Morgane Colombert, Rossano Scoccia () and Mario Motta
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Mahaut Vauchez: Efficacity, 14 Boulevard Newton, F-77420 Champs-sur-Marne, France
Jacopo Famiglietti: Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, 20156 Milan, Italy
Kevin Autelitano: Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, 20156 Milan, Italy
Morgane Colombert: Efficacity, 14 Boulevard Newton, F-77420 Champs-sur-Marne, France
Rossano Scoccia: Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, 20156 Milan, Italy
Mario Motta: Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano, 20156 Milan, Italy

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 9, 1-23

Abstract: Identifying decarbonization strategies at the district level is increasingly necessary to align the development of urban projects with European climate neutrality objectives. It is well known that district heating and cooling networks are an attractive energy system solution because they permit the integration of renewable energies and local excess of hot or cold sources. The detailed design and optimization of network infrastructures are essential to achieve the full potential of this energy system. The authors conducted an attributional life cycle assessment to compare the environmental profile of five distribution network infrastructures (i.e., pipes, heat carrier fluid, trenches, heat exchangers, valves, and water pumps) based on a study case in Marseille, France. The work aims to put into perspective the environmental profile of subsystems comprising a district heating infrastructure, and compare pipe typologies that can be used to guide decision-making in eco-design processing. Rigid and flexible piping systems were compared separately. The results show that the main impact source is the pipe subsystem, followed by the trench works for most impact categories. The authors underlined the importance of pipe typology choice, which can reduce emissions by up to 80% and 77% for rigid and flexible systems, respectively.

Keywords: district heating network; life cycle assessment; environmental impact; greenhouse gas emissions; pre-insulated pipes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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