The transformation the energy sector is going through today cannot be achieved without major changes in the heating systems for urban areas. Since Romania has committed, along with the European Union, to reach specific energy targets by 2030, it is important that these targets are achieved in the most cost-effective way, by also bringing benefits to the society as a whole. Thus, this feasibility study analyses what is the most recommended heating solution to be adopted in three Romanian cities: Bucharest, Timisoara and Oradea, by comparing three scenarios based on individual heating and district heating. This resulted in the following research question:
What is the most feasible solution for improving the heating systems in the cities of Romania?
By matching the results obtained on a local level with the national level results obtained in another study, confirms that district heating, accompanied by heat savings is more cost-effective, energy efficient and environmentally friendly than individual heating solutions.
Provided that the results are confirmed locally and nationally, a set of recommendations for the Romanian authorities is established to help them develop new district heating strategies which empower the municipalities, help to retrofit, decarbonise and expand the existing systems, build new ones, and improve in general the image of this heating system to ultimately determine customers to reconnect to it.