A master thesis from Aalborg University
The Electrification of Natural Gas-Based District Heating Systems in Denmark: A case study on Oksbøl combined heat and power plant
Term
4. Term
Publication year
2021
Submitted on
2021-06-03
Pages
134 pages
Abstract
This thesis examines the possibility of electrifying natural gas-based district heating systems in Denmark, which is necessary both to reach the Danish climate goals for 2030, and to integrate fluctuating renewable electricity. Firstly, an analysis is made based on EnergyPLAN, which focuses on whether the natural gas-based combined heat and power capacity can be reduced without security of electricity supply being compromised. The analysis shows that a reduction cannot be done unless it is replaced with another electric capacity, provided that all the coalfired power plants are phased out. Secondly, a paradigmatic case study on Oksbøl combined heat and power plant is used to investigate economic and institutional barriers in an electrification of the district heating sector. Using the modelling tool energyPRO, it is concluded that electric boilers are both business- and socioeconomically feasible. However, it is found that biomass boilers are cheaper than heat pumps, which may imply the need of a tax on biomass if a large-scale electrification is wanted. The results of the institutional analysis, which are based on a qualitative interview, show how the relations between- and power of actors strongly impact the transition away from natural gas and also demonstrate the need for innovative democracy if a transition is wanted.
Keywords
Documents
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