Solar thermal is seen as one of the most interesting technologies for European district heating installations with a high share of renewables.
A co-operation between district heating companies and solar heat suppliers can be a parallel to the existing co-operation between Norwegian energy companies and suppliers of solar PV. Heat delivery from solar collectors into district heating systems will strengthen the environmental profile, contribute to reduced Norwegian CO2 emissions and also make solar energy a factor in energy policy and planning.
An increasing number of European countries support installation and modernisation of district heating networks with a high share of renewables and solar thermal is seen as one of the most interesting technologies. Norwegian solar thermal energy company Aventa is involved in several concrete projects through participation in the Horizon 2020 project ReLaTED.
Heat delivery from solar collectors into district heating systems will strengthen the environmental profile, contribute to reduced Norwegian CO2 emissions and also make solar energy a factor in energy policy and planning.
In 2013 Akershus Energi, a Norwegian energy company, installed a big solar plant just outside Oslo. The project has been very successful, but has not resulted in any new developments and is still the only example of solar district heating in our country.
Solar collectors in district heating – where will we see our next project?
This question is now asked by Norsk Fjernvarme* at the yearly District Heating conference, which took place at Fornebu on 16 and 17 October. The goal is to put focus on the international trend with growth in solar district heating installations. According to the IEA (International Energy Agency), this combination has both economic and environmental benefits. Aventa participated in a panel discussion on the topic at the conference.
*Trade organization for Norwegian district heating companies