The extensive energy use in the European building sector creates opportunities for implementing energy conservation measures (ECMs) in residential buildings. If ECM are implemented in buildings that are connected to a district heating (DH) system, the operation of DH plants may be affected,...

The utilisation of biomass poses large challenges in renewable energy systems while buildings account for a substantial part of the energy supply even in 100% renewable energy systems. In this paper the focus is on how the heating sector can reduce its consumption of biomass, thus leaving...

Energy, exergy and exergoeconomic analysis are often used for assessing large energy conversion systems. However exergy and exergoeconomic analysis are rarely used when small or medium scale energy generation systems, such as community CHP/CCHP plants or microcogeneration systems are evaluated.

Austria aims at increasing its share of renewable energy production by 11% until 2020. Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants fired by forest wood can significantly contribute to attaining this target. However, the spatial distribution of biomass supply and of heat demand limits the potentials of...

This paper argues that Sweden’s old and established district heating sector is heading into a stagnation phase. The aim is to analyse the factors influencing this development as well as the strategies used by involved parties to prevent stagnation. Using large technical system theory, I...

Heat pumps have previously been proposed as a way to integrate higher amounts of renewable energy in DH (district heating) networks by integrating, e.g., wind power. The paper identifies and compares five generic configurations of heat pumps in DH systems. The operational performance of the...

Electric vehicles (EVs) are currently seen as an option for a more sustainable transportation sector, but it is not yet clear how to supply them with electricity whilst striving for low costs and low CO2 emissions. Renewable sources can supply electricity with low emissions, but their...

The aim of this paper is to identify the main challenges regarding the achievement of a low-carbon energy system in the EU by 2050. We analyze the visions presented by stakeholders and existing strategies of member state to achieve this transition. The five main challenges identified are the...

Die langfristigen Klimaschutzziele sehen bis zum Jahr 2020 im Vergleich zu 2008 eine Senkung des Primärenergieverbrauchs um 20% vor, bis zum Jahr 2050 wird eine Senkung um 50% angestrebt. Zur Erreichung dieser Ziele stehen zunehmend Maßnahmen zur Steigerung nachfrageseitiger Energieeffizienz...