Title:
New Technologies and Biomass-based District Heating in Finland
Author(s):
Laihanen, M., Karhunen, A., Föhr, J., Ranta, T.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
The district heating is the most common heating system in space heating in Finland, with the share of 46%. The heat is mainly produced with combustion technology (the share of 87%) and the main fuels are biomass: 54%, peat: 11%, natural gas: 4%, oil: 5%, and coal: 20%. The aim of paper is to analyse what could be the alternative non-combustion technologies in district heating in future and what is the role of biomass in these circumstances. Background of this topic is EU and national level conversations about sustainability of biomass fuels and there is also willingness to replace existing combustion technologies in district heating. The possibilities of future technologies are compared to existing CFB boiler which is in city of Mikkeli and region of South Savo. In this study, the selected alternative district heat production technologies are geothermal heat, secondary heat sources and heat pumps, electric boilers, hydrogen technology, and small modular reactors. The district heat network is expensive part of system and it make sense to utilise although the source of heat will be replaced. In the future larger variety of new production technologies will be utilised and system is more complex. Always new possibilities must be studied case by case and the level of technological development varies. Particularly, local secondary heat sources will be utilised more effective, and the electrode boiler are using widely in summertime when the price of electricity is low. The hydrogen technology is in planning process, but it can take time when investments will be realised. The small modular reactors are future alternative. However, the forest biomass will be part of production mix in future. It is important fuel when supply security issues are noticed. Captured green CO2 from conventional biomass combustion process could be an important raw material for new processes.
Keywords:
alternative energy, bioenergy, district heating, combined heat and power
Topic:
Biomass, Bio-based Products and Bioenergy Integration
Subtopic:
Biomass integration into energy systems
Event:
32nd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
3AV.6.5
Pages:
410 - 414
ISBN:
978-88-89407-24-0
Paper DOI:
10.5071/32ndEUBCE2024-3AV.6.5
Price:
FREE
