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Table 7 Influence of the thermal insulation potential on the indicators (own illustration)

From: Factors influencing the environmental and economic feasibility of district heating systems—a perspective from integrated spatial and energy planning

Indicator

Influence of thermal insulation potential

(1) Energy consumption density

For existing domestic buildings, heat consumption density will decrease by around 15% (less than 16% as domestic hot water energy consumption will approximately stay stable; process heat is not assessed). New buildings will have a lower energy consumption which means that depending on the local circumstances (removing old buildings and replacing by new ones vs. compacting), the effect can be higher or lower. However, an average of 15% shall be estimated.

(2) Number of full load hours per year

Decreasing energy consumption by climate change reduces the number of annual full load hours [42]. This is a result of lower energy consumption in general and therefore applicable for decreasing energy consumption due to thermal insulation as well. The effect is not very high and not given for all scenarios either; not always a correlation can be observed. A decrease of full load hours due to thermal insulation and climate change of around 10% is possible.

(3) Available heat source(s)

The number of available heat sources increases with decreasing grid temperature. Thermal insulation of buildings can contribute to a temperature decrease and therefore influence both indicators in a positive way, but as in conventional grids the temperature is adjusted to the highest temperature need this effect might not be realizable.

(4) Temperature level