Geothermal District Heating in Reykjavik Today
District heating - DH - is a system which distributes heat from a centralised generation plant to end (residential, tertiary, commercial, recreational facilities...) users, connected via a heating grid and substations. DH has replaced, in most instances, traditional central heating systems where each building is heated by an individual boiler. Clearly, DH achieves higher energy, economic and environmental performance. Heat supply is best adjusted to users demand. Individual building boilers are replaced by a heat exchanger three way valve piping outfit, fuel supplies and operation/maintenance are optimised, all factors resulting in significant cost savings. Last but not least, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions and excess heat losses, thus securing upgraded environmental control. As of early 2000’s European DH market penetration stands as follows (percentage of district heated houses) : Iceland: 96%; Baltic States / Poland / Sweden / Denmark / Finland: 50-60%; Austria / Germany: 12-1