93% of district heating production relies on combustion processes
Heat accounts for 40% of energy consumption in Europe. Nearly 70% of this is produced by fossil fuels, in particular gas, coal and fuel oil.
Yet 80% of this heat is for hot water and heating requiring100°C water. As well as reducing consumption, the two major low-carbon vectors for the transition are heat pumps and heat networks.
Calogena proposes to contribute to achieving the objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Europe, as defined in the Heat Roadmap Europe.
Of the energy consumed is heat
This heat is used for heating and hot water
Heating networks will double to address this need
The simplest nuclear technology is sufficient
The development of district heating networks represents a major opportunity to decarbonise heat production: wherever urban density justifies it, the most efficient way of decarbonising low-temperature heat is through district heating networks.
60% of district heating in Europe is still based on fossil fuels, and 95% on combustion. If we are to succeed in our plans to decarbonise heat production by 2050, the share of district heating must increase significantly. The Heat Roadmap Europe forecasts a significant increase in this contribution, from 13% to over 45% by 2050.
Most decarbonised heat production solutions are linked to local opportunities. Biomass, currently seen as a potential source for replacing fossil fuels on a large scale, could soon reach its limits in terms of available resources. Nuclear power is therefore ESSENTIAL for reducing the carbon footprint by ensuring complete decarbonisation of heat production.
The Calogena project presents a solution aimed at decarbonising district heating networks in Europe and enabling the expansion of future networks.
The low carbon intensity of nuclear power for district heating is unrivalled on the market, with only 2g of CO2 per kWh, significantly lower than that of gas, which reaches 230g. What’s more, a Calogena module produces no fine particles and eliminates the need for daily lorry traffic.
Nuclear heating is the solution that emits the least carbon