TASK 55: Integrating Large SHC Systems into DHC Networks

Developing technical and economic requirements for introducing solar district heating and cooling (DHC) systems.

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IEA-SHC Solar Heating & Cooling Programme International Energy Agency

IEA Solar Heating & Cooling Technology Collaboration Programme

The Solar Heating and Cooling Technology Collaboration Programme (SHC TCP) was established in 1977, one of the first programmes of the International Energy Agency, to promote the use of all aspects of solar thermal energy. The SHC TCP's work is unique in that it is accomplished through the international collaborative effort of experts from member countries and the European Union.

The benefits of this approach are:

  • accelerates the pace of technology development
  • promotes standardization
  • enhances national R&D programmes
  • permits national specialization
  • saves time and money

Collaborating Organizations

 

What's New
  • Region with high solar ambitions joins IEA SHC - One of the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme’s new sponsors is SACREEE, the Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, set up by the Southern African Development Community (SADC), an intergovernmental organisation. SADC represents a dynamically developing solar thermal region encompassing 16 countries (see map) with around 300 million population. As part of the SOLTRAIN initiative, SACREEE helps government ministries implement solar thermal roadmaps, which has already resulted in some support and regulatory policies in SOLTRAIN’s partner countries. (Posted: 2020-07-27)
  • Digital lighting controls improve user satisfaction - Designing energy-efficient lighting for offices and public buildings requires a deep understanding of user requirements. (Posted: 2020-07-13)
  • Export champions from Greece offer good value for money - The Greek solar thermal industry is an export champion: The total collector area sold to customers abroad tripled from 200,000 m2 to 600,000 m2 in only 10 years (see chart). (Posted: 2020-07-11)
  • Solar cooling concepts for hot climates - The just started international research platform Solar Cooling for the Sunbelt region is very popular among research institutions, manufacturers and consultancies around the world. Already more than 50 organisations from the green-marked countries on the map have signed a letter of support. Other institutions based in the blue-coloured countries are in progress of establishing a cooperation with the new solar cooling research group called Task 65 which is supported by the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme. (Posted: 2020-07-10)
  • Fact sheets show 30 operational PV-thermal systems - PV-thermal installations are extremely versatile systems, and their manufacturers can cater to a wide variety of customers, single- and multi-family building owners, hotels, swimming pools and even production facilities among them. (Posted: 2020-07-02)
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  • Report A1 of Task 60 about PVT examples is discussed on solarthermalworld,com
  • FINAL SHC Task 55 Expert Meeting - October 13th to15th, 2020 in Graz, Austria. More informations follows soon. We are looking forward to welcome you in Graz in October 2020!
  • Product Gallery is ready - Visit our gallery and click on the images to access information on the single technologies.
  • Lessons learned from first IEA SHC online meetings - “It worked very, very well and we saved a lot of emissions,” said one of the participants in the two-day online workshop organised by research platform Solar Neighborhood Planning, also known as Task 63. On 11 and 12 March, 42 people based in 10 different countries, ranging from Canada and Sweden to China and Uganda, discussed the work plan of this recently started four-year project supported by the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling programme.
  • Call for Proposals: SBE21 Heritage - The conference will be dedicated to the sustainable improvement of the built heritage, a research area that has grown significantly over the last 10 years and that is currently gaining even more momentum. With a focus on “Renovating historic buildings for a low-carbon built heritage”, the conference will foster a multidisciplinary dialogue between scholars and practitioners working in the fields of energy efficiency and historic building conservation with the aim of finding together the solutions that will bring our common heritage into a sustainable future.
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Solar Heat Worldwide

NEW EDITION!

Solar Heat Worldwide 2020Solar Heat Worldwide 2020

Our annual statistics report, Solar Heat Worldwide, details the positive impact of solar heating and cooling technologies on climate protection. -- Read More

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Publication Highlight

Solar Heat Integrations in Industrial Processes

Solar Heat for Industrial Processes (SHIP) is at the early stages of development but is considered to have enormous potential for solar thermal applications. The industrial sector accounts for approximately 30% of the total energy consumption  in OECD countries. And, the major share of the energy needed in this sector is used for heating and cooling buildings and production processes at temperatures from ambient up to approximately 350°C. This is a temperature range that can be addressed with solar thermal technologies. -- View PDF

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