Bosnian-Herzegovinian district heating system revamp promises annual CO2 reduction of approximately 20,000 tons
The city of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, has embarked on a significant project to overhaul its district heating system. This initiative is part of the UNEP-led Global District Energy in Cities Initiative and aims to modernize the aging heating network, reduce energy costs, and transition to environmentally-friendly heating sources.
The project, christened 'Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the District Heating System in the City of Banja Luka', is expected to be completed in four months. The mapping of energy flow within the system is the first action under this project. To achieve this, an unmanned aerial drone equipped with a thermal camera will be used to map the energy flow and identify leaks.
Mayor Gavranovic of Banja Luka stated that the current district heating system, the second-largest in Bosnia and Herzegovina, experiences significant energy losses during transport and end-use. He emphasized that crude oil is too expensive, irrational, and ecologically unacceptable for district heating, and that the project is an urgent issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
Boilers in the heating system are an average of 35 years old and lose up to 60% of generated heat, while poor insulation means up to 40% of heat is lost in buildings. Modernizing the heating system could reduce fuel consumption by 27%, or 4,500 tons of crude oil each year, corresponding to a reduction of 20,000 tons of CO2 each year and €4.5m in fuel cost savings.
If the heating system were made fully renewable, it could save a total of 80,000 tons of CO2 each year and provide heat from green sources to one third of Banja Luka. The project will also focus on reducing energy costs and heat losses, with potential savings of up to 20,000 tons of CO2 each year and €4.5 million in heating costs.
The meeting regarding the project was organized by Banja Luka with support from UNEP and under the auspices of the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Civil Engineering, and Ecology of Republika Srpska. The meeting was attended by Banja Luka's Mayor, the Assistant Minister of Spatial Planning, Civil Engineering, and Ecology of Republika Srpska, the Director of 'Toplana' District Heating Company, the Director of Fund for Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency of Republika Srpska, and a UNEP representative.
The Climate Technology Centre & Network is providing essential knowledge, technical assistance, and financing for the project in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Initiative will also provide Banja Luka with best practice guidance and support, including linking Banja Luka with champion cities of district energy such as Paris, Helsinki, or Tokyo.
This project is a real-life example of tackling climate change, improving lives, and saving money. It is one of the first pilot cities of the UNEP-led Global District Energy in Cities Initiative. For detailed and up-to-date specifics on the Banja Luka project, I recommend consulting official project websites from local authorities, energy utilities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, or regional development organizations overseeing energy modernization in that area.
[1] [Regional Energy Initiative in the Western Balkans](https://www.renewableenergyfocus.com/2021/08/05/regional-energy-initiative-in-the-western-balkans-focuses-on-energy-efficiency-programs-and-renewable-energy-integration/) [2] [Energy Efficiency Programs in the Western Balkans](https://www.balkaninsight.com/2021/02/23/western-balkans-strengthens-energy-efficiency-to-cut-emissions-and-save-money-01-30-2021/)
- The project in Banja Luka, titled 'Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the District Heating System', aims to transition from conventional heating sources to environmentally-friendly ones, as part of the UNEP-led Global District Energy in Cities Initiative.
- To reduce energy costs and tackle climate change, the project plans to address heat losses and implement renewable energy sources, potentially saving up to 20,000 tons of CO2 each year and €4.5 million in heating costs.
- Beyond financial benefits, the project also focuses on environmental science, aiming for a 27% reduction in fuel consumption and 80,000 tons of annual CO2 emissions if the heating system becomes fully renewable.
