District heating in the EU's comprehensive assessment under Energy Efficiency Directive

Sokołowski, Maciej M.

District heating in the EU's comprehensive assessment under Energy Efficiency Directive

Abstract

Around 68% of the European Union’s population lives in cities, and the majority of the EU’s buildings are in high heat density areas, which is reason enough to use and develop district heating in Europe. In comparison to other European regions, the Baltic Sea Region has a well-developed district heating, and district heating is expected to continue to play a prominent role in the Region’s heating sector, with the potential to expand district heating networks in certain areas. Nonetheless, European district heating occupies a different position in the energy sectors of the EU’s member states. To develop it, various European programmes (for example, the South Baltic Programme) are available, as well as legislation, such as Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency (Energy Efficiency Directive, EED) is offered.