District heating carries geothermal energy into homes, thereby reducing fossil fuel consumption

District heating is one of the solutions for combating climate change and environmental pollution. It is a cost-effective and clean system that’s useful when transporting heat over distances. It enables geothermal liquids found underground at low temperatures (i.e., between 80°C and 100°C) to be used to directly heat water, which is then circulated in radiators and convection heaters in buildings. What is district heating and how does it relate to geothermal energy? District heating is an innovative energy transport and distribution system used for heating, cooling and obtaining hot water. Energy is generated by harnessing a renewable source, often several miles from where it is used. District heating’s key components include co-generation plants, where heat is produced and subsequently fed into a distribution network that reaches into individual homes. The special feature of these systems is their capacity to operate at a distance, and their inherent ability to exploit a subsurface resource, namely geothermal energy. The hot water for district heating can be obtained in different ways, including systems that exploit renewable sources (through heat pumps) or non-renewable sources (e.g., fossil fuel boilers). Of the various options, the most interesting, renewable and sustainable consists of harnessing the thermal energy found underground to heat the water. This source of energy, which is practically inexhaustible, is found deep within the Earth and is the product of the radioactive decay of certain elements, including uranium, thorium and potassium. In Italy, particularly on the country’s western, Tyrrhenian coast, geothermal energy is a precious resource, although it is still underexploited, given its great potential. The many benefits of district heating and its role in the green transition The utilization of district heating can contribute to achieving the objectives of the energy transition. With the judicious use of geothermal energy, it reduces the consumption of fossil fuels. This results in heating systems that are more environmentally friendly while also lowering household utility bills. The industrial plants used to harness the energy found within the Earth's crust come with high safety standards. They also entail less maintenance, since they do not require periodic inspections and servicing. This is basically a win-win solution for both the environment and the user, who stands to pay lower utility bills and have reduced operating costs. Nor should we forget the district heating bonus, an incentive planned for 2023 to encourage citizens to use more innovative and efficient heating methods. It reduces VAT from 22% to 5% for the first quarter of the year, and the discount is applied directly to utility bills. Everyone who meets the requirements, regardless of income, is eligible for the 2023 district heating bonus. The spread of district heating in Italy Italy's decarbonization roadmap calls for the increasing use of environmentally friendly heating and cooling systems with reduced environmental impacts. District heating plants are fully in line with these objectives. Thus, following the example of Northern European countries, they are also becoming increasingly widespread in this country. Considering that 50% of Italy's district heating systems are concentrated in four regions (Tuscany, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont), there are indeed ample opportunities for expansion. The hope is that these efficient heating systems can spread rapidly throughout the country, including the southern regions, where to date no plant has been built. For now, the national record for the most extensive district heating network is held by Turin. Some positive examples: the cities of Brescia and Ferrara In the 1970s, when district heating was an option that was considered only in Northern Europe, a pioneering project was launched in the city of Brescia to heat buildings using renewable energy sources. In 1972, the first co-generation plant was built in a neighborhood in the southern part of the city. With a growing, state-of-the-art energy distribution network and continuous technological improvements, coverage was extended to ever larger areas of the city. Today Brescia is the leading city in Italy in terms of district heating, with more than 70% of civic and industrial buildings being heated by it. In the city of Ferrara, geothermal energy from heat in the deepest layers of the Earth’s crust is a true gift of nature. This treasure, which is hidden underground, was discovered in the middle of the last century and has put the city in the top ranks in Italy in the use of geothermal energy for heating. Water is pumped at 90°C to 120°C from below ground. With an underground network stretching for more than 316 kilometers, it is then distributed to homes, offices and other buildings that are often quite distant from the point of production. All of this is accomplished without the need to change the buildings’ own heating systems. Instead, energy is transferred directly through heat exchange between two liquids. Sustainable beer - a first in Tuscany Another example of how geothermal energy can contribute to environmental sustainability comes from Tuscany, where the Vapori di Birra (literally, Steam Beers) brewery in Sasso Pisano produces beer by harnessing heat from underground. This shows how history, the local area and renewable sources can come together to create quality, environmentally friendly craft beer. The brewery, which is located in the middle of Tuscany's geothermal district, is the first in the country to use heat from the Earth. The heated water is harnessed during all stages of beer production: from mashing, which requires water at 78°C, to fermentation, passing through all the intermediate stages that need liquids at above-ambient temperatures. Once the entire process has been completed, the spent steam is returned underground, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the energy source. Today, Vapori di Birra is reference point both for beer lovers, with 1,600 of the 40,000 bottles produced each year being exported worldwide, and for people who are care about sustainability. It is also worth noting the economic aspect: the brewery has cut costs by 25% compared to when it used energy from fossil fuels. District cooling: a new green frontier District cooling systems, whose characteristics are very similar to those of district heating, are also becoming increasingly widespread. Here, too, the aim is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from air conditioning by harnessing geothermal energy instead of fossil fuels. Specifically, chilled water is supplied to buildings through heat exchange systems linked to refrigeration units and heat pumps. This technology is 5 to 10 times more efficient than conventional systems, with a 50% reduction in energy consumption. In Italy, almost all district cooling systems are now combined with district heating systems, so that they can take advantage of the same infrastructure and distribution network.

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District heating carries geothermal energy into homes, thereby reducing fossil fuel consumption

District heating carries geothermal energy into homes, thereby reducing fossil fuel consumption