title: Environmental analysis of a potential district heating network powered by a large-scale cogeneration plant.
abstract: Among the solutions for the achievement of environmental sustainability in the energy sector, district heating (DH) with combined heat and power (CHP) systems is increasingly being used. The Italian city of Turin is in a leading position in this field, having one of the largest DH networks in Europe. The aim of this work is the analysis of a further development of the network, addressed to reduce the presence of pollutants in a city that has long been subject to high concentration levels. The environmental compatibility of this intervention, especially in terms of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions, is evaluated. The pollutants dispersion is estimated using the CALPUFF model. The forecasting scenario is created firstly by simulating the energy production of the main generation plants in response to the estimated heat demand, and secondly by investigating the amount and the dispersion of pollutants removed due to the elimination of the centralized residential heaters. The results show a future reduction in ground level average NOxconcentration ranging between 0.2 and 4 μg/m3. The concentration of PM remains almost unchanged. Measures are then taken to lower the uncertainty in the simulation scenarios. This study provides important information on the effects of a change of the energy configuration on air quality in an urban area. The proposed methodological approach is comprehensive and repeatable.
authors.affiliation: DIATI (Department of Engineering for Environment, Land and Infrastructures), Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 10129, Torino, Italy. marco.ravina@polito.it.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2017-4879
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ravina
authors.affiliation: DIATI (Department of Engineering for Environment, Land and Infrastructures), Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 10129, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Panepinto
authors.affiliation: DIATI (Department of Engineering for Environment, Land and Infrastructures), Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 10129, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Chiara
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Zanetti
authors.affiliation: DIATI (Department of Engineering for Environment, Land and Infrastructures), Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi, 24, 10129, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Genon
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants; D000397:Air Pollution; D002947:Cities; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005060:Europe; D006361:Heating; D007558:Italy; D052638:Particulate Matter
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter
keywords: Air pollution; District heating; Environmental compatibility; NOx; Particulate matter; Pollutant dispersion model