Feasibility of Fifth-Generation district heating and cooling using mine water in Belgium: A Multi-Site Techno-Economic assessment

This study looks at whether it’s possible to switch from traditional heating and cooling technologies to more modern, low-carbon ones in cities. In particular, it looks at fifth-generation district heating and cooling (5GDHC) systems, which are new networks that use low-temperature, bidirectional thermal energy exchange to cut down on energy waste and bring in renewable sources. The report criticizes common electrification methods like individual heat pumps and distributed generation, which typically ignore the long-term consequences to the economy and the environment. This study compares 5GDHC systems with traditional methods in five major cities: Brisbane, Melbourne, New York City, Paris, and Singapore. It does this by using a comprehensive evaluation framework that includes linear programming optimization, cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment, and global sensitivity analysis. The primary questions for this study are: (1) Can 5GDHC systems work in different types of cities? (2) Do they cut down on greenhouse gas emissions by a lot? The results demonstrate that 5GDHC systems can cut greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 21 %, cut annual expenses by as much as 26 %, and reach energy self-sufficiency rates of up to 98 %. These results give policymakers and city planners a strong tool to help them make decisions about how to decarbonize the system for warmth and cooling.