In 1984 the first geothermal plant has been established in Denmark, Thisted. In combination with two absorption heat pumps, excess heat from a waste incineration plant and a straw fired boiler it is part of a district heating network. This heat network delivers a total of 7 700 kW to 5 117 consumers in the area.
Gram Fjernvarme is consumer owned and was until 2009 based on natural gas with a CHP unit and two boilers. In 2009 a solar field is established to provide solar thermal power to the heat network. The solar field is expanded in 2015 to a total area of 44 800 m2 of solar collectors providing 60% of the total heat demand. From 2016 onward excess heat from a neighbouring carpet factory is added to the district heating network.
The ENTRAIN project aims at improving the capacities of public authorities to develop and implement local strategies and action plans for enhancing the use of endogenous renewable energy sources (RES) in small district heating (DH) networks. As part of the project there have been set up five initial surveys and local action plans for a specific region. The outcomes of the Regional Action Plan for Friuli Venezia Giulia are briefly described.
The Tallaght District Heating Scheme (TDHS) will begin its first phase in the Tallaght Town Centre area. This area has been identified as having a high heat demand density, which is a key indicator for district heating viability.
Marstal District was established in 1962 and currently supplies 100% renewable district heating, with a solar fraction of 41% and a biomass fraction of 60%, to 1,500 – 1,600 consumers in Marstal.