Kaugküttetehnoloogiad

Kaugküttetehnoloogiad, commonly known as district heating, refers to a centralized system for distributing thermal energy to multiple buildings for heating and hot water. In such a system, heat is generated in a central plant, often by burning fuels like natural gas, coal, biomass, or by utilizing waste heat from industrial processes. This heat is then transported through a network of underground insulated pipes, known as a distribution network, to individual consumers. The hot water or steam circulating in these pipes transfers heat to the buildings' heating systems.

District heating offers several advantages. It can be more efficient than individual heating systems, especially when utilizing waste heat or large-scale renewable energy sources. Centralized production can lead to lower emissions per unit of heat produced, particularly when advanced combustion technologies or cleaner fuels are employed. Furthermore, district heating can enhance energy security by diversifying fuel sources and reducing reliance on individual fossil fuel consumption.

The technologies involved in district heating encompass the heat generation methods, the design and insulation of the pipe network, pumping stations to maintain water flow, and the heat substations within each building that transfer heat from the district heating network to the building's internal system. Modern district heating systems are increasingly incorporating renewable energy sources like solar thermal, geothermal, and heat pumps, as well as waste heat recovery from data centers and other industrial activities, to improve their sustainability and reduce their carbon footprint. The efficiency of these systems is often measured by their heat loss during transmission and the overall energy utilization factor.