International. A group of engineers and industry experts have joined forces in the European Innovation Project WeDistrict (District heating and cooling solutions for local and smart renewable energy for sustainable living) to create four 100% fossil-free heating and cooling solutions across Europe. They will integrate different renewable energy sources and excess heat into new and existing district cooling and heating systems in Spain, Romania, Poland and Sweden.
María Victoria Cambronero, from the Spanish company Acciona (Engineering Division) coordinates this project, which includes 21 partners from 9 countries. "All of this needs to be seen in a holistic context," he says, "we will integrate smart IT solutions, develop sustainable business models, and have an innovative approach to engaging citizens affected by our measures."
In Alcalá de Henares, 30 km east of Madrid, the CEPSA Research and Development Centre will receive a new sustainable heating and cooling network. It will work with a combination of solar thermal collectors, biomass boilers, solar cooling technologies and an innovative molten salt-based thermal storage system.
In Luleå, northern Sweden, the heat generated in a data center will be fed into an existing district heating system using fuel cell technologies. In Kuźnia Raciborska, in southern Poland, 20 apartment buildings will upgrade their current district heating system by replacing coal-fired boilers with sustainable fuels based on solar and biomass resources. The Polytechnic University of Bucharest in Romania will upgrade part of its district heating system, which is currently powered by solar and geothermal natural gas, which dates back to the roots of French pioneers 700 years ago.
"Our goal is to develop nine different technologies and replicate them across the EU and beyond. In this way, our goal is to really have an impact and guarantee a more sustainable life," said María Victoria Cambronero.
Source: WeDistrict.
