Work

The Innovation Process of Utilizing Renewable Energy Sources for Sustainable Heat Production

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The long-term rise in energy prices leads to reduced consumption, negatively impacting the efficiency of centralized heat supply systems (CHSS). As a result, it is necessary to address the economically inefficient preparation of hot water (HW) at heat transfer stations (HTS). Within the framework of the “Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan” (NECP), which is valid from 2021 to 2030, the industrial sector is aiming to produce 25% of its electricity from renewable energy sources (RES) by 2030. This target, up from 19.2% in 2018, equates to a value of 27.3%, which is at the technical limit of the Slovak electricity system. This article aims to study the installation of PV panels for domestic hot water (DHW) preparation within the central heat supply system (HTS) process, with the decision depending on the results of an economic return analysis. The estimated investment of EUR 5000 excluding VAT would generate annual savings of EUR 311, resulting in a payback period of approximately 16 years. The main limitation is the low efficiency in winter and no production at night, while in summer, a surplus of electricity can be used for preheating cold water.

Source: Processes

DOI: 10.3390/pr13051301

Authors: Marcela Malindžáková, Martina Laubertová, Miriam Pekarčíková

Institution: Technical University of Košice

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, Climate action, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896