Integrating low-temperature renewable energy sources in District Energy Systems: Focus on Belarus

In the framework of the “Energy Solutions for Cities of the Future” project, and under the umbrella of the Global Geothermal Alliance, IRENA organised a virtual workshop with a focus on Belarus on 3-4 February 2021 titled “Integrating low-temperature renewable energy sources in district heating and cooling systems,”. The workshop was organized in collaboration with the State Committee for Standardisation of the Republic of Belarus and with technical input from Aalborg University, Denmark.

The objective of the workshop was to equip district heating and cooling stakeholders in Belarus, including policymakers at the national, regional and local levels; urban planners; district heating operators/utilities; etc. with knowledge on the options and tools for integrating low-temperature renewable energy sources in district heating and cooling networks.

The workshop was based on IRENA’s publication, “Integrating low-temperature renewables in district energy systems: Guidelines for policy makers”, which was developed in collaboration with the Aalborg University and with the support of an advisory group of district heating and cooling practitioners.

Agenda

• Welcoming remarking - Gurbuz Gonul, IRENA
• Opening remarks - Mikhail Malashenko, Department for Energy Efficiency, Belarus

Session I

• Overview of district heating and cooling in Belarus; in English, Russian - Vladimir Sednin and Alexei Sednin, Belarus National Technical University
• Analysis of the conditions for the large-scale use of renewable energy sources in housing and communal services in English, Russian - Prof. Vadim Kitikov, Institute of housing and communal services
• Enabling low-temperature renewable district energy in cities in English - Prof. Brian Vad Mathiesen, Aalborg University

Session II

• Key success factors for strategic heating and cooling planning in English, Russian - Nis Bertelsen, Aalborg University
• Energy saving policy in heat supply including renewables under the State National Energy Saving Programme 2021 – 2025 in English, Russian - Mikhail Malashenko, Department for Energy Efficiency, Belarus
• Planning for the integration of solar thermal and thermal storage into district heating and cooling in English, Russian - Sije Gorter, SOLID solar energy systems

Session III

• Experiences and innovative approaches to Ownership structure, financing, and regulation of district heating networks in English, Russian - Søren Roth Djørup, NORCE
• Problems and prospects for attracting investments in private sector to implement renewable energy projects in heat supply in Belarus in English, Russian - Filinovich A.G, IEC Energy Company GmbH
• Experience in implementation of World Bank projects in English, Russian and operation of the revolving fund for bioenergy in English, Russian - Victor Knysh and Mr. Anatoly Korol, RUE “Belinvestenergysaving

Session IV

• Technical challenges and solutions for the integration of low-grade heat sources into existing networks and buildings in English, Russian - Susana Paardekooper, Aalborg University
• Perspectives for application of solar energy (solar collectors) at district level in Belarus in English, Russian - Vadim Seleznev, Department of Energy Efficiency, Belarus
• Prospects for the utilization of low-temperature heat flows based on heat pumps technology in Belarus in English, Russian - Vladimir Romaniyuk, Belarus National State Technical University

Conclusive session

• Perspectives for district heating and cooling - Brian Vad Mathiesen, Aalborg University and Mikhail Malashenko, Department of Energy Efficiency, Belarus
• Closing remarks - Amjad Abdulla, IRENA and Mikhail Malashenko, Department of Energy Efficiency, Belarus

Recording