Croatia towards improving the performance of DHS

5 December 2018

Croatia towards improving the performance of DHS

As its combination of concrete work with pilot district heating systems and its close cooperation with national and European multipliers to disseminate this experience broadly are unique features of the KeepWarm project, we would like to start sharing this good practice and plans for training activities by participating countries. The first in the series is Croatia.

Training activities offered to DH stakeholders in Croatia
KeepWarm partners North-West Croatia Regional Energy Agency (REGEA) and the University of Zagreb already agreed on topics for training activities that will be offered to district heating stakeholders. Marko Čavar from REGEA told us which ones they will be:

  • Integration of solar collectors (general introduction, good examples from across the EU, techno-economic analysis of integration, revision of a feasibility study for a heating system in the city of Velika Gorica);
  • Integration of heat storage (techno-economic analysis, optimisation of the system, integration of heat buffers…);
  • Hydraulic calculation of pipes and selection of the most cost-effective options;
  • Effect of energy renovation of buildings on heating system in terms of temperature regime and supplied heat;
  • Financial analysis and related tools which can be used in the evaluation process of projects (general introduction);
  • a concrete financial analysis of a Croatian example in the City of Velika Gorica – evaluation of two scenarios (pipe connection between two stations or reconstruction of a smaller one with the integration of solar collectors);
  • PR and communication activities;
  • Study trip to the DHS Pokupsko as an example of good practice in Croatia.

Good practice: the Municipality of Pokupsko

Marko Čavar stated that “The district heating system in the Municipality of Pokupsko (North-Western part of Croatia) an excellent example of a success story, where the first community-owned district heating system was opened, funded by European Programme IPRAD. Around 30 consumers (including schools and public buildings) are connected to this wood-chips biomass heating system. REGEA participated in the project from its development to the end.”

According to EUSEW, through continuously investing in this kind of projects and maximising the use of incentives available through both national and EU funding, a considerable increase in inhabitant’s quality of life is visible. The final result of these investments is that currently more than 75 % of energy needs in Pokupsko are satisfied through local resources, with the plans to reach 100% within the next five years. Similar to that, the Municipality of Pokupsko is also implementing a number of non-energy projects as well promoting European cooperation at all levels (i.e. projects focused on tourism). All projects are in line with the overall vision of Pokupsko as a 100 % sustainable community.