RESILIENT is a competence center led by Mälardalen university together with University of Gävle, Uppsala University, Umeå University and Linköping University and consists in the extension of around 50 partners from academia, business- and public sector. The RESILIENT project SolDisHs is focusing on the integration of solar concentrating collectors in district heating systems in high latitude regions.
SolDisHs investigates how large-scale solar thermal energy can be integrated into district heating systems in high-latitude regions. Using operational data from the solar thermal park in Härnösand, the project will develop and validate a model for evaluating technical performance, energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and economic conditions under different integration scenarios.
Project overview
| Project period | September 2022 – February 2027 |
|---|---|
| Project status | Ongoing |
| Absolicon’s role | Industrial partner and co-financier, providing operational data, technical expertise, industrial supervision and dissemination activities |
Background and challenge
District heating plays an important role in the Swedish energy system and currently relies heavily on biomass. As demand for bio-based resources increases in other sectors, competition for biomass may lead to higher costs and create a need for a more diversified heat supply.
Large-scale solar thermal energy can reduce fuel use, strengthen energy security and lower greenhouse gas emissions. However, integrating solar thermal into district heating systems at high latitudes presents particular challenges. Heating demand is highest during periods with limited solar radiation, and the technical and economic conditions differ between district heating networks.
There is also limited operational research based on full-scale solar thermal installations connected to municipal district heating networks in northern climates. SolDisHs addresses this knowledge gap through measurements, modelling and analysis based on the solar thermal park in Härnösand, Sweden.
Absolicon’s contribution
Absolicon participates as the project’s industrial partner and co-financier. The company provides access to operational data from the solar thermal installation and supports access to relevant district heating data.
Absolicon also contributes by:
- Providing technical expertise and practical knowledge of concentrating solar thermal systems.
- Co-supervising and mentoring the project’s doctoral student.
- Supporting data collection and the development of relevant research scenarios.
- Participating in the analysis and optimisation of solar thermal integration.
- Organising study visits, webinars and activities for district heating stakeholders.
- Communicating research results to industry and international solar thermal networks.
Absolicon leads the work package focused on facilitating the wider use of solar thermal energy in Swedish and international district heating systems.
Expected results and impact
A central result of the project will be a new methodology and data-driven model for analyzing and optimizing the integration of solar thermal energy into district heating systems.
The project is expected to contribute to:
- Better understanding of the actual performance of concentrating solar collectors in northern climates.
- Improved methods for sizing and integrating solar thermal installations.
- Reduced fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions in district heating production.
- Increased diversification and resilience of district heating systems.
- New knowledge for energy companies considering solar thermal investments.
- Stronger collaboration between universities, industry and the public sector.
- Scientific publications, conference presentations, seminars, webinars and study visits.
- A doctoral thesis based on the research conducted within the project.
The results are intended to support the wider implementation of solar thermal energy in Sweden and other high-latitude regions.
