Case Study: 1407 m² solar plant for solar district heating, Austria

Case Study (36 KB PDF)

Summary

With the construction of Austria's largest solar plant (1407 m²) at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadium the pilot project of feeding solar energy directly into an urban district heating net was realised. Further a distinct sign of environmental concern of the township of Graz was set. This solar plant is Europe's Premiere for solar district heating. The plant is operated and financed by a Third-Party-Financing Model. This pilot project is supported by the township of Graz, the Steirische Wirtschaftsförderung and the Kommunalkredit Austria. The plant went in operation in June 2002 and will deliver about 600 MWh solar energy in the district heating net. Comparing the CO₂ Emissions, which issue by using an oil fired boiler with a total efficiency of 70 %, this means a saving of about 250 tons CO₂ a year.

Results

Comparing the CO₂-Emissions, which issue by using an oil fired boiler with a total efficiency of 70 %, this means a saving of about 250 tons CO₂ a year! The gained solar energy of about 600 MWh yearly is directly fed into the urban district heating system. The economical benefits are that the project is based on a financial model. The investment and operating costs are taken over by the operating company. The environmental benefit is the contribution to reach climate goals (regional, national, international).

This pilot project shows that integration of solar energy into district heating systems is a economical and ecological useful way of using renewables and it underlines the environmental friendly image of a domain, where up to now the use of renewables was restricted.

The project was awarded with the Austrian Solar Award 2002 presented by the Eurosolar Solar Award Jury in September 2002.

Furthermore the project received the Award "Energieprofi 2002" in the category "Third party financing - projects" awarded by the ÖGUT and the by the Austrian Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry and Environment. The ceremony was held in October 2002.

To find similar reports, click on a keyword below:
District Heating : ESCOs : Local Government : ManagEnergy : Photovoltaics : Regional Government : Solar Thermal

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