The project International platform for thermal energy systems research has developed and launched this knowledge platform aiming at monitoring international research on thermal energy systems such as systems for district heating and district cooling. As a basis for the development of the knowledge platform, the project has organized workshops within the project's focus areas: Customer solutions and business models, Flexible response to demand and digitization, and Policy instruments. In addition, the project International platform for thermal energy systems plans for a session on an international district heating conference on which these topics will be further discussed and scrutinised. The content and the program of the conference will be planned based on the results that have emerged from this project.
The Swedish systems for district heating and district cooling need to be adapted to prevailing conditions but also to future challenges. National and international collaboration is therefore of significant importance and a prerequisite for a continued competitive district heating sector in Sweden. Collaboration is also an important means in order to adapting and developing Swedish thermal energy systems such as district heating and district cooling to future conditions. In light of this, this project has constructed and launched a platform for knowledge exchange and research monitoring intending to contribute to the development of a continued strong and competitive district heating and CHP sector in Sweden. Our vision with this knowledge platform is that the expected target audience and users of the platform, for example energy suppliers, energy sector organizations, authorities, researchers and other existing networks for research in the field of thermal energy systems, will visit this platform and that their need for knowledge in areas related to thermal energy systems is met.
The aim of the project was to construct different methods for monitoring and searching international research on thermal energy systems such as district heating and district cooling and then apply these methods for searching, retrieving and analyzing information. The work of searching, collecting and analyzing research and knowledge in the area of thermal energy systems has been based on the current and future challenges in the Swedish district heating sector, which also links to the three focus areas on which the project has concentrated the work: Customer solutions and business models, Flexible response to demand and digitization, and Policy instrument. As a basis for a deeper understanding of these focus areas and to gain insight into the experiences and opportunities the district heating sector sees in these areas, workshops have been organized in the form of breakfast seminars during the fall of 2019 for each focus area respectively. Based on the results of this project's work and what emerged during discussions at completed workshops, the project, as an additional delivery, has prepared a program for a session at an international district heating conference to be conducted in November 2020.
With focus on research issues and conditions in Sweden, the platform will be a complement to existing networks like DHC+ and 4DH.
Louise Ödlund, professor at Linköping University
Several pieces contribute to a secure and fully balanced renewable energy system. Creating a 100% renewable energy system is no longer a future utopia, it is a reachable and necessary reality - that is what drives me as a researcher. More information here
Therese Nehler, assistant lecturer at Linköping University
Working towards an improved energy efficiency does not only provide energy effects, but also brings many added values. In my research, I am interested in how these so-called non-energy benefits can be gleaned and utilized in a future energy system. More information here
Marie Magnefjord, communication officer at Linköping University
I am passionate about sustainability, communication and helping my research colleagues communicate the results of their research. More information here