Urban district heating network delivery: a socio-technical analysis of large-scale district heating network implementation in urban environments

Adeniyi, IA

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the implementation of large-scale city-based district heating (DH) networks from a socio-technical perspective with a view to identifying key success factors and effective governing measures that can overcome the main barriers limiting the uptake and delivery of district heating at scale. DH is an area that has been regarded as underexplored yet with a potential play a key role in providing greater opportunities for decarbonisation, increased energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness in the heat sector. The study addresses this knowledge gap by assessing the factors that promote the take up and delivery of DH at scale by examining the perspectives and experiences of social actors, as well as the framings and factors that influence the distinct interrelationships between socio-technical systems, context, and settings in the DH implementation process.
Through the application of the multilevel perspective on socio-technical transitions to analyse the case study cities, this research examined the salience and influence of five sociotechnical elements: (1) the implementation strategy; (2) technical solutions and heat sources; (3) policy instruments and regulatory framework; (4) pricing and consumer protection (5) financial instruments and incentives. Investigating these five factors provides insights into the key success factors that aid the implementation of large-scale city based DH networks as well as the barriers to DH implementation.
The study employs a multi-case study analysis, drawing on qualitative methods to explore the DH network implementation strategies in secondary and primary case studies cities, which represent two contexts with differences in political, technical, financial, social, business models, governance processes and policy approaches to DH development. The secondary data analysis of DH implementation in Copenhagen, Stockholm and Helsinki provided an in-depth understanding of how DH has been successfully implemented in these regions to derive meaning and analytical understanding of the phenomena being studied. The data from semi-structured interviews with twenty key stakeholders was examined, reviewed, and interpreted using a combination of document and thematic analysis to explore their perspectives and to capture the early stages of the DH development and implementation process in Greater Manchester.
The findings in this research revealed key barriers limiting the uptake of DH as well as key success factors essential for the implementation of large-scale city-based DH network, which include various organisational, technical and policy design considerations. The study contributes to a growing body of research that emphasizes the importance of spatial perspectives and the crucial role of city regions in transition processes and the perceived need to adopt governance mechanisms to support DH implementation on the urban scale.

Citation

Adeniyi, I. Urban district heating network delivery: a socio-technical analysis of large-scale district heating network implementation in urban environments. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Dec 12, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 12, 2022
• Award Date: Mar 16, 2022