Efficiency, Performance, and Social Issues for Eastern European District Heating

Dan Birleanu, Brian McCowan, Gary Epstein, and Mark D’Antonio, Energy & Resource Solutions, Inc.

Keywords

Abstract

Many redeveloping Eastern European urban centers are plagued by significant environmental and socio-economic problems, including poor-performing district heating plants that can be a contributor. Most older systems are characterized by low central heating plant efficiencies, limited controls, poor environmental performance, and high distribution system loss rates. The effects on district heat customers are high costs, low reliability, and reduced air quality.

This paper presents a comprehensive discussion on the state of district heating in Eastern Europe based on experiences in Romania. First, we provide a general technology and operational procedure overview of district heating systems. Our discussion addresses a multitude of issues associated with typical systems: net and gross efficiency; performance, capacity, and reliability issues; hot water or steam loss rates; environmental issues; customer heat availability; and customer exodus.

We then investigate several options for system upgrades. These may include higher performance heating plants and distribution systems and conversion to cogeneration or independent heating units. Technical, environmental, and socio-economic advantages and disadvantages are discussed.

Finally, we present a case study project in Baia Mare, Romania. With funding from USAID, this problem-plagued system was studied and relevant options were assessed. Baia Mare’s system, typical of Romanian district heating, had low efficiency, high distribution heat and direct hot water losses, and poor reliability. The assessment addressed numerous options and contended with a concurrent customer exodus to low quality, poorly installed independent systems. The local heating utility is currently attempting to implement recommended solutions, while trying to reconnect customers who left the system.