Heating and cooling in the residential sector is responsible for about 40% of overall energy use.
As building and transport systems have evolved, DHC technology has developed through several generations since its introduction at the end of the 19th century. The direction of development of the first three generations has been in favour of lower distribution temperature.
Fourth generation DHC (4GDHC) further addresses the challenge of adapting district heating and cooling for low-energy buildings and helping the development of renewable energy by using lower-temperature waste heat and connecting the electricity network with the thermal grid.
Tractebel is involved in several ongoing 4GDHC projects:
Our teams also propose smart solutions combining heating and cooling district with electricity and gas grids and the use of renewable sources:
A recent success in France, with ENGIE, is the GeoMarne project, in the suburbs of Paris. In this project, we are in charge of project management services for the power plant and the networks, both in the design and the execution of the project. The key technical characteristics are:
“The next generation of DHC (5GDHC), based on the exchange of thermal energy between buildings with different needs and the supply of very low-temperature water (close to the ground) to decentralized heat pumps, is beginning to emerge. As it evolves, Tractebel will continue to promote it and other innovative solutions that favour a smart energy system. Technologies like these, that reduce both emissions and primary energy consumption, bring us one step closer to achieving our purpose of engineering a carbon-neutral future”. |
Marine BAGONNEAU |