Work

Feasibility analysis of integrating solar thermal technologies into district heating network with urban building energy modeling

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Buildings play a crucial role in the global energy transition, offering significant opportunities for reducing energy consumption and increasing the use of renewable energy sources. This study utilizes Urban Building Energy Modeling (UBEM) with a place-based approach to assess the potential of integrating solar technologies in urban environments for space heating, hot water production, and comparing their feasibility with reference to photovoltaic panels. By utilizing cleaner and more efficient technologies within district heating networks, this research aims to contribute to the energy transition in densely populated urban areas. The proposed methodology is applicable to various urban contexts and climate conditions, aligning with efforts to create sustainable cities through collective action. The methodology adopts a bottom-up approach with the building as a territorial unit, taking into account specific climate conditions, building characteristics, urban features, and local constraints. Key steps include a detailed roof analysis using a segmentation method to evaluate the available area on different roof orientations for solar technology implementation. The results showed the increase in self-consumption and self-sufficiency levels when the solar production is utilized for the different energy services. For self-consumption index, this increase reaches three times when hot water is added to the space heating service (from 10% to 31%). For self-sufficiency, this increase is double, from 12 to 24%, showing the high energy consumption for space heating in wintertime. By reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and facilitating the seamless integration of renewable energy sources into urban environments, the study contributes to defining target indicators and indexes considering local constrains to achieve the overarching goal of sustainability in energy system.

Source: Energy and Buildings

DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2025.115661

Authors: Y. Usta, A. Montazeri, G. Mutani

Institution: Politecnico di Torino

Language: English

Topic: Solar Thermal and Photovoltaic Systems

Subfield: Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment

Field: Energy

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Sustainable cities and communities, Climate action, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,260