The effect of low-carbon processes on industrial excess heat potentials for district heating in the EU: a GIS-based analysis

Abstract

The two datasets are supplement to the publication Manz, Pia; Fleiter, Tobias; Eichhammer, Wolfang: "The effect of low-carbon processes on industrial excess heat potentials for district heating in the EU: a GIS-based analysis" (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.segy.2023.100103). Excess heat from industrial processes can be utilized in district heating networks, thereby reducing the primary energy demand and possibly CO2 emissions for district heating generation. Many studies found a substantial potential of industrial excess heat; however, they did not systematically consider the potential future changes in the energy system that will affect the potential excess heat utilization. Industrial production will transform to low-carbon processes and district heating needs to be generated without fossil fuels. Here, we quantify industrial excess heat by spatial matching for the EU-27, considering the impact of the transformation to a climate-neutral energy system. In a first step, excess heat potentials from energy-intensive industries are identified as point sources, taking into account process changes. In a subsequent step, the excess heat potentials are spatially matched to district heating areas with a GIS-based approach. The results show, that available excess heat will reduce significantly due to industry transformation. At the same time, the utilization potential could be increased by lower district heating system temperatures and by an expansion of district heating areas, resulting in 3 - 36 TWh/a. Locally, there is a significant contribution of industrial excess heat in the future, even though the major share will need to be supplied by renewables.