Yet another COP with the intention to stop fossil fuels took place in 2023. International institutions like the UN and the EU should try to break down legal and institutional barriers. CO2 DOES NOT RECOGNIZE BORDERS!
By Anders Dyrelund, Senior Market Manager, Ramboll
plants. In 1979, the Danish Heat Supply Act gave municipal- ities the obligation to plan for cost-effective extension of DH to utilize surplus heat from waste and power generation, and the power generation shifted from oil to coal and natural gas. The policy was enforced by combining incentives and regula- tion. A large tax on fossil fuels and electricity stimulated ener- gy savings in buildings and the extension of DH. The building code enforced more insulation and low-temperature heating. The option of obligatory connection to DH and a ban on elec- tric heating in new buildings stimulated efficiency and cost-ef- fectiveness. The policymakers understood that DH is a natu- ral monopoly and the key to meeting the objectives, e.g., that the marginal efficiency of DH from CHP is more than 200%, whereas it is only 30% for electric heating. Around the year 2000, this potential was utilized, and Denmark started the second phase of the journey towards a fossil-free society in 2050. Sustainable biomass replaced fossil fuels in large power plants and many DH systems. Biomass, which else would be wasted, was used in a clean and efficient way for heat and power generation with flue gas condensation. The market for district cooling started, and the DH market share increased. However, domestic natural gas was still a priority. Around 2020, Denmark started the third phase of the journey, replacing the remaining fossil fuels with wind and solar. In this phase, DH plays an even more important role, being the key technolo-
The message from the UN Sustainable Development Goals is clear: affordable, clean, low-carbon energy for the growing population. Recently, resiliency has been added to the list of energy policy objectives. Therefore, the history of the green transition in Denmark, starting with the oil crisis in 1973, is a good showcase, in brief:
Cost-effectiveness for society, including the cost of CO2 is the key to sustainable solutions.
Therefore, break down barriers between sectors, institu- tions, and all stakeholders.
Ensure that competent ministries regulate to the benefit of society.
DH has eliminated thermal losses from power generation and waste incineration.
Transition from oil to coal and gas and further to biomass and wind
Cost-effective zoning of the district heating (DH) and close to 100% connection.
DH integrates the fluctuating renewable energy as a virtual battery.
In 1976, the Danish Electricity Supply Act gave the Ministry the power to approve power
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