Rethinking peak load in district heating: Operational insights and techno-economic pathways

This paper presents a systematic investigation of peak loads in district heating networks, examining the associated challenges and the technologies used to address them. The study adopts a multi-method approach that includes the development of a novel taxonomy for peak load characterization, an expert survey, and a techno-economic performance analysis of key decarbonization technologies. The survey gathered valuable insights from 163 respondents, shedding light on how peak loads are currently defined and managed across different networks. To evaluate decarbonization strategies, three peak load capacity scenarios (10 %, 20 %, and 40 %) are analysed across four district heating configurations, focusing on the performance of electric boilers, heat pumps, and biomass boilers. The results show that electric boilers are the most cost-effective option for low-capacity peaks, offering up to 22 % lower costs than gas boilers. Heat pumps become optimal at higher utilization, achieving 46 % primary energy savings and 36 % CO₂ reductions, positioning them as a promising solution for long-duration peak scenarios.