2019-04-29

Flexible heat demand is possible

Recent RnD shows that it is possible to utilize considerable amounts of demand flexibility in district heating grids. With an extended system boundary that includes buildings, district heating grids, and connection to electricity grids, a co-optimization can be performed that creates great economic value for the economy as well as the environment.

This value has been mapped through a simulation study for six archetype district heating grids for the three flexibility types of thermal storage in buildings, heat source shifting: district heat – heat pump, and borehole storage connected to buildings.

The value created by demand flexibility can vary between the different types of heat grids, but there are generally good economic and environmental incentives for many types of district heating grids to invest in flexible demand. Read more in The value of flexible heat demand Energiforsk report 2019:565.

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