West Dunbartonshire experience - podcast The Scottish city West Dunbartonshire has recently developed a modern district heating project based on heat pumps in a former ship building area called Queens Quay. In this podcast Michael McGuinness, the project head, discusses the best practices and the Queens Quay project with one of the researchers from TNO, Pieter Verstraten. West Dunbartonshire had very little experience in district heating networks 5 – 7 years ago. Today they have built both the organisation to operate and develop the district heating network further and the physical network itself. Quite an
accomplishment in such a short time frame – it shows the dedication from all parties involved both in the planning and construction phase. Michael says that finding local experience was a challenge, so they used their international network and gained access to international knowledge. This was done through a DBDH supported mentoring scheme between them and the Danish city, Aalborg. In this mentoring cooperation knowledge was exchanged an all aspects of the project. Listen here - https://open.spotify.com/ episode/2gX0b1PNnXoi6F0sVqrGC7 to the discussion be- tween Michael McGuinness and Pieter Verstraten.
a balance between investment costs, operational costs, and other relevant criteria such as sustainability. The recommen- dation was, investigate your options and choose the one that is best according to your standards – it can also be best availa- ble well tested and documented technology. Focus on EU – with worldwide relevance The interview was done with 8 EU cities to ensure a strong EU focus. The results, however, have been “tested” in a short worldwide questionnaire. The findings from this test are that there is no reason to believe that the findings are not relevant for all DH projects, no matter where in the world they are. Be- sides that, the conclusion was confirmed by all. It is, of course, essential to consider local conditions and framework condi- tions and how they influence how a project can be developed.
Many of the best practices are not very surprising. They all confirm and elaborate on what many would know and under- stand as standard practice. The stronghold here is two-fold. First, this report brings these best practices together and con- firms them. Secondly, the best practices are now presented in a structured, documented, and commented form ready to use as a checklist. Some best practices do not apply to every- one, but just the option of removing things from your list was mentioned by several as a great advantage. This advantage will instill trust in both the planning and the construction phase for both experienced and future practitioners in the planning and construction of district heating networks. What is the best available technology? One best practice did generate some interest - “Adhere to the best available technology.” Some understood that one should use the latest most advanced technology, e.g., extremely low-temperature networks. But especially among the cities with longer experience, the understanding of the best availa- ble technology can differ from that understanding. What the best available technology is might vary between projects. It is
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