Abstract
Since the oil shock in the 1970s, district heating has been actively introduced in various European countries with an aim to more effectively utilize fossil fuels. This is especially noticeable in Northern Europe where there is a large demand for heating. Denmark aims to achieve a zero-fossil fuel target and achieve 100 % renewable energy by 2050, putting into progress research and demonstrations for the transition to 4th generation district heating (4DH) while this trend spreads to about 60 % of the total population. In this paper, trends toward 100 % renewable energy and decarbonization in the heat sector using renewable energy are summarized as they pertain to European climate change and energy policies under the Paris Agreement. Based on case studies that show this transition toward 4DH in Denmark, the prospects of promoting district heating in Japan are also considered. For issues related to renewable energy heat utilization, it is expected that various efforts will be further advanced by adopting know-how from European countries along with the potential of renewable energy, such as biomass, in Japan.
