PartagerEurope: renewable cooling could provide close to 100% of cooling demand
A recent study performed by the German Öko-Institut e.V. on behalf of NL Agency of the Netherlands and funded by the Dutch government, claims that at least 50% of the cooling demand in Europe could be covered by renewable energy applications by 2050.
A study performed in June 2012 by the German Öko-Institut e.V. on behalf of NL Agency of the Netherlands and funded by the Dutch government, claims that at least 50% of the cooling demand in Europe could be covered by renewable energy applications by 2050 (i.e. about 370 TWh/a).
“Technically it should be possible to provide 100% of the cooling demand by renewable cooling technologies by 2050. Hurdles and limiting factors for the contribution can be unsuitable geographical and climatic conditions, the lack of political awareness and human resources, the missing availability of marketable key components and low prices for fossil fuels and electricity.”
Apart from direct and indirect cooling, this report highlights the potential represented by “cooling with renewable heat”.
“These can be absorption, adsorption, and desiccant and evaporative cooling systems. The required thermal energy can be provided by different sources, but solar energy delivered by solar thermal systems is expected to be the most important source in the future. This technology is most suitable for southern European regions with high solar radiation and high cooling demand. Other energy sources can be combined heat and power plants burning biomass or geothermal heat… Some applications are already available on the market, but generally there is still a high need for research and development.”
In order to ensure that at least 50% of the cooling demand in the EU is covered by renewable technologies, Öko-Institut e.V. recommendations include an EU-wide uniform definition and terminology for renewable cooling technologies.
“Technically it should be possible to provide 100% of the cooling demand by renewable cooling technologies by 2050. Hurdles and limiting factors for the contribution can be unsuitable geographical and climatic conditions, the lack of political awareness and human resources, the missing availability of marketable key components and low prices for fossil fuels and electricity.”
Apart from direct and indirect cooling, this report highlights the potential represented by “cooling with renewable heat”.
“These can be absorption, adsorption, and desiccant and evaporative cooling systems. The required thermal energy can be provided by different sources, but solar energy delivered by solar thermal systems is expected to be the most important source in the future. This technology is most suitable for southern European regions with high solar radiation and high cooling demand. Other energy sources can be combined heat and power plants burning biomass or geothermal heat… Some applications are already available on the market, but generally there is still a high need for research and development.”
In order to ensure that at least 50% of the cooling demand in the EU is covered by renewable technologies, Öko-Institut e.V. recommendations include an EU-wide uniform definition and terminology for renewable cooling technologies.