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Reducing cost for geothermal district heating systems

Reducing cost for geothermal district heating systems Setting up of district heating system (source: TNO)
Alexander Richter 1 Apr 2021

A consortium led by Dutch TNO is conducting research on how to reduce the cost of transport systems for district heating.

The Dutch research organisation TNO has shared an interesting article on new technology that could help reduce the cost of transport systems for geothermal district heating.

The emerging geothermal district heat sector has great potential to contribute to the energy transition but requires large investments in infrastructure. Reduction of the capital investments and the operational cost of geothermal district heat systems with one third is the aim of the DRAGLOW project. TNO coordinates a consortium of European partners who joined forces to investigate technologies to lower the hydraulic drag of brine transport systems.

A reduction of flow resistance in pipelines will allow the installation of smaller pipe diameters, smaller pumps, geothermal well and other system components. This will reduce the costs of materials and costs of excavating and limit nuisance in the in the residence environment. DRAGLOW is funded under the Dutch MOOI Innovation program, a Dutch government subsidy scheme that stimulates the development of innovations of sustainable, reliable and affordable energy systems.

The DRAGLOW consortium consists of TNO, ECW Energy, Roemex Ltd, Nouryon NV, TU-Delft, Enertrans BV, Well Engineering Partners, Wayland BV., Nijkamp Aanneming BV, Municipally of Rotterdam and Municipally of Amsterdam. The project will run for 3 years.

Read more about the project via the link below.

Source: TNO