Overview of DHC Legislative Framework

Overview of DHC Legislative Framework

Country

Norway

Legislative Framework

Energy Act (1991) reviced 2009 for energy use

§ 5 District Heating plants below 10 MW need a concession/ licence from the Energy Authorities, for an area. With a price regulation:

For those DH companies, the prise of DH should not exceed the price of electricity to the customers in the residential sector in the same area.

Guidelines for the Energy labelling system: started 1.1.2010, but compulsory from 1.7.2010. based on the Building directive. The objective is to raise the attention on energy use, on the purpose to reduce this.

There will be a development and improvement of the system. The actual proposal is discriminating DH and bioenergy on the behalf of heatpumps and electricity. The purpose of the chosen model in Norway is not in accordance with the building directive and the energy politics in Norway.

Guidelines for grid tariffs: reduced tariffs for disconnected consumption (from the grid company), reduce the cost for electricity used in DH system

Planning and building Act (1978, reviced 2008) new § 27a from 1.7.2010, old § 66a

Regulation of connection: DH companies with a concession/ licence for plants can claim a connection duty for all customers, if the comprehensive plan already has approved for developing DH.

There is no obligation to USE DH, but usually the connection fee prevents from using other energy sources.

Technical Guidelines for PBA:

Actual guidelines: the connection duty gives priority for DH supply. Possibility to apply for exemption from the connection duty to the local authorities, but this should not be agreed if there is an obstacle to extension of the DH supply in the area.

New guidelines from 1.7.2010: the same. The objective is to reduce the total use of energy and make a change to renewable heat, for substitution of electricity.

Purpose of the Legislation

The DH act in 1986 was replaces by the energy act in 1991. Last change in 2009.

There was a political decision to establish a DH system for the energy supply and use of surplus heat from waste and industry.

Energy Act: regulation of DH, as for all energy production, for environmental and social concerns

Price regulation for protecting the customer, due to

The obligation of connection in the Plan and Building act.

Need to review the guidelines for the energy labelling system. NDHA have a dialogue with the energy department about this. We will propose a model for the system that comply with the intention in the building directive, for the use og primary Energy factors.