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In this Hot|Cool edition…
we’re emphasizing the importance of energy storage and smart energy systems. Understanding and implementing these technologies is vital as global energy consumption rises and the push toward decarbonization intensifies. Countries now planning and implementing enormous energy systems can benefit from adopting a cross-sector approach to cost-effective storage solutions integrating district heating into the equation.
Energy Storage and Smart Energy Systems
The article “Energy Storage and Smart Energy Systems” by Toke Kjær Christensen (rewritten based on a journal article) advocates for an integrated cross-sector approach to identify the most efficient and cost-effective storage solutions for a renewable energy system. It concludes that examining individual subsectors alone cannot determine optimal storage. Instead, integrating the electricity sector with other energy system components to create a Smart Energy System offers better alternatives for incorporating large, variable renewable energy inputs than relying solely on electricity storage. Read the interesting article by Toke Kjær Christensen here 
The missing actor in the heat market: How to fill the gap in Germany
To establish heating networks in existing neighborhoods, the following components are always required: expertise, labor, capital, and an accessible heat source. Finding an actor who brings all these components together is challenging. Private individuals often lack the necessary expertise, despite their intrinsic motivation and willingness to invest labor and capital, while professional actors lack incentives if the effort is not economically viable in the medium term. This creates what we refer to as an ‘actor vacuum,’ particularly in areas with heterogeneous ownership structures. Germany looks to its neighbor to the North to learn from Denmark’s extensive experience with district heating. Get inspiration from the article by Susanne Schmelcher here.
How does the end-user’s behavior influence the operating temperatures in district heating networks?
The future of district heating lies in the 4th Generation systems, which operate at lower temperatures to improve efficiency and sustainability. This article explores recent studies in Danish multi-apartment buildings, focusing on how user behaviors influence operating temperatures and heating costs. Read the article by Michele Tunzi, Tom Diget, Kees van der Veer, and Anders Nielsen here
Clarification of the term “District Heating Generations”
Misunderstandings or overinterpretations have arisen around the term “DH generations,” and the “generations” are mixed up with the years they were introduced. IEA DHC – the hub for international DHC research – has found it necessary to prepare a concise definition of the district heating network generations. Learn what the “District Heating Generations” really is in this interesting article. Read the interesting article here.
The possible role of seasonal thermal storage for decarbonizing an Austrian District Heating Network
Seasonal thermal storage is a key element in decarbonising district heating networks. It can shift excess heat in summer from industrial waste heat, geothermal energy, heat pumps, and solar thermal energy to the winter and make an important contribution to covering the winter load and thus reducing the demand for fuels. Learn about the Austrian plans for thermal storage in the article by Ralf-Roman Schmidt, Gerhard Totschnig, and Bernhard Mayr here.
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