GIS-based approach to identifying potential heat sources for heat pumps and chillers providing district heating and cooling

Geographic information system (GIS) software has been essential for visualising and determining heating and cooling requirements, sources of industrial excess heat, natural bodies of water, and municipalities. Policymakers highly encourage the use of GIS software at all administrative levels. It is expected that the heating and cooling demand will continue to increase. For a reliable heat and cooling supply, we must identify heat sources that can be used to provide heat or for removing surplus heat. We propose a method for identifying possible heat sources for large heat pumps and chillers that combines geospatial data from administrative units, industrial facilities, and natural bodies of water. Temperatures, capacities, heat source availability, as well as their proximity to areas with high demand density for heating and cooling were considered. This method was used for Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Excess heat from heat generation plants and industries, sewage water treatment plants, and natural heat sources such as rivers, lakes and seawater were included. The study’s findings provide an overview of possible industrial and natural heat sources, as well as their characteristics. The potential of the heat sources was analysed, quantified, and then compared to the areas of heating and cooling demand.