Integration of WtE and district cooling in existing Gas-CHP based district heating system – Central European city perspective

Abstract District heating and cooling systems represent a valuable infrastructure that can facilitate the integration of various energy sources into urban energy systems. One of those sources is municipal waste. By applying the waste-to-energy concept, landfilled waste amounts can be significantly reduced, and heat, cold and electricity can be produced via combined heat and power plants. This research investigates the possibility of integration of combined heat and power waste incineration plant into the existing gas-based district heating system in the central European city. To secure 365 days of heat demand, the influence of the introduction of a warm district cooling system is simulated, where heat is distributed via the existing heat distribution network to distributed chillers, building sites locations. The results show 33% higher energy-from-waste potential in summer compared to winter, which is an opposite trend to heating demand and compatible with yearly distribution of energy needs for covering cooling demand. Despite the identified compatibility on a seasonal scale, to cover up to 100% of district cooling energy consumption with energy-from-waste, heat storage is needed, due to differences in short-term heat production and demand. This synergy has positive effects on the energy production efficiency and operation of the waste to energy plant and district heating system which results in the highest reduction in fuel consumption as well as in decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. Results of this research can be used for a better understanding of interactions between analysed technologies/systems in the wide range of cities with a continental climate.