Modernization of the district heating system and improvements of energy efficiency of buildings in the City of Belgrade

Context

Belgrade's district heating (DH) system is one of the largest in Europe with a total network length of 1420 km and capacity of over 2800 MW. The majority of the network is run on the natural gas boilers and fuel oil boilers with no waste heat from cogeneration or other sources being used and very little renewables (0,75% of capacity). Energy efficiency of the building stock is quite low, and the intensity of energy consumption is high. The city needs harmonized approaches to efficiency. 

Requested CTCN Response

• Report on the current status of district heating and building efficiency
• Provide a high level assessment of combined options for district heating modernization and building efficiency improvements

Relevant Technologies and Approaches

• District heating and cooling

• Replacement of district heating boilers

• Energy savings in buildings

• Building envelope thermal insulation

Expected Results

• Sustainable operation of Belgrade's district heating system
• Reduction in the use and procurement cost of natural gas for Belgrade’s DH system helping the city to reduce losses and retain wealth
• The replacement of up to 10% of the city’s DH distribution network and interconnection of heat sources
• The mainstreaming of insulation techniques and the subsequent reduction of the building’s stock energy usage
• The development of a new energy tariff system and its application at city level to improve energy efficiency
• Subject to feasibility results and availability of funds, the installation of heat cost allocators and heat meters in residential and commercial buildings, which could save up to 330 000 tCO2 emissions annually 
• Redution in heat loss to 5% in the medium term, saving EUR 6-7 million annually