District heating networks in Switzerland

The actual growth of the district heating market is mainly due to new (smaller) networks and extension of existing older ones. A more dramatic increase could be achieved if the planned inter-regional networks (Transwaal, Warheno and Fola), fed with waste heat from the existing nuclear plants were taken into operation. These networks with a total installed power of over 1 GW are though contested as they would mean an increase of the dependency on nuclear energy. Additionally, fossil fuel prices are today so low, that the economic considerations are making district heating less appealing. However the criteria for district heating as defined in a special study of the Swiss Ministery of Energy. The role of nuclear energy in district heating could increase substantially from actually ca. 8% to an expected share of 30% of the total district heat market if the inter-regional networks already mentioned would go into operation. A more important increase would be possible if new nuclear power plants, nuclear co-generation plants and dedicated district heating reactors could be installed in Switzerland. In order to achieve this, governmental interventions are necessary. (orig./GL)