Denmark's District Heating System Heats Up European Cities
Danish households have been relying heavily on district heating for decades. In fact, about 69% of Danish homes are connected to district heating networks, which supply around half of Denmark's residential heat demand.
The concept is simple: a central plant produces hot water and pumps it through insulated underground pipes to homes, offices, and schools. A small unit in each building draws heat off the network for radiators and hot taps.
District heating is not a new idea; Denmark's first district heating plant was inaugurated in Frederiksberg in 1903. However, it wasn't until the oil shocks of the 1970s that the country began to rely heavily on this system.
The 1979 Heat Supply Act required towns to draw up heat plans and mark out areas for district heating, natural gas, or individual heating. This legislation set the stage for the widespread adoption of district heating in Denmark.