Renewable Energy Solutions for Heating Systems in Mongolia: Developing a strategic heating plan

Mongolia’s heating system is based on domestically produced coal, which provides an economical option for the supply of heating for the population. However, coal heating has resulted in high local pollution in cities, causing respiratory-related health issues.also It also hinders Mongolia’s aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet their Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the Paris Agreement.

Mongolia, however, has significant potential for renewable energy sources – especially wind, solar and geothermal – which could be used to meets its heating needs. This detailed renewable energy-based strategic heating plan leverages the existing district heating network in the utilisation of locally available renewable heat sources as well as renewable electricity.

The assessment comprises a detailed mapping of the heat demand of buildings and an energy system analysis of district heat supply. Energy efficiency improvement in existing and new buildings, efficient and modern heat supply networks, and the integration of renewable heat and electricity play key roles in the proposed plan, which demonstrates that a renewable energy-based heating supply is more technologically and socio-economically feasible than the current fossil-fuel based system.