Transforming urban heat networks
District heating is a vital source for 60 million Europeans today. The approach involves generating heat in a central location and distributing it through a pipe network to individual properties. It is recognised as a low-carbon, cost-effective solution for providing heat on a large scale.
In Ireland, the SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) estimates in the National Heat Study that over 50% of building stock would be suitable for connection to a district heating network and the government has set targets to deliver 2.7 TWh/year of heating through district heating by 2030.
During the tumultuous period of 2022, district heating stood out for its stability and reliability, as other heating methods experienced price spikes. This resilience shields end-users from uncertainties faced by those relying on domestic heat boilers.
Waste heat is considered a largely untapped resource that can be recovered for urban district heating networks – 90% of available waste heat originates from industry. This emphasises the necessity for industry to be close to cities for effective utilisation. The remaining 10% is from human activities within cities, with wastewater emerging as a significant heat source waiting to be harnessed for a sustainable energy future.
Data centres also provide an opportunity to utilise excess heat. The primary focus of data centres is optimising power and water efficiency. Heat often considered "low quality" or "waste heat" emerges at around 25 degrees Celsius, deemed too low for immediate applications.
In exploring the potential of harvesting excess heat from data centres, proximity to cities and the feasibility of urban district heating networks become pivotal considerations. The key lies in enhancing the efficiency of existing buildings and optimising district heating networks to operate at lower temperatures. Heat pumps are the essential tool that allow temperature to be raised to the required level.
Dublin’s Tallaght district heating scheme was recently expanded through collaboration between the municipality and a local data centre. A new energy plant room with large-scale heat pumps was built next to the data centre to become a central component in the existing district heating scheme, serving various public buildings and housing units.
The immediate impact of the innovative District Heating Network upgrade in Dublin brings a reduction of 1,500 tons of CO₂ equivalent per year. This transformative initiative showcases the potential of waste heat, even if conventionally deemed low quality.
With a diverse water technology portfolio and commitment to collaboration, Xylem stands poised as a key player, ready to amplify the impact of sustainable heating in our communities. Its offerings extend from digital solutions for optimising heating infrastructure, to a comprehensive range of pumps, sensors and heat exchangers.
The emphasis on collaboration, digitalisation and a broad equipment portfolio positions Xylem as a key player in the evolving landscape of decarbonised heating.
First published in Building Services News, Ireland November/December 2024 edition
By Victor Ferre, Senior Director for Building Services in Europe, Xylem
About Xylem
Xylem (XYL) is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company that empowers customers and communities to build a more water-secure world. Our 23,000 diverse employees delivered combined pro forma revenue of $8.1 billion in 2023, optimizing water and resource management with innovation and expertise. Join us at www.xylem.com and Let’s Solve Water.
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Source: Xylem Water Solutions UK