Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 107 (2019) 360–373

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Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/rser

District cooling system via renewable energy sources: A review T

a,⁎ b
Abrar Inayat , Mohsin Raza
a
Department of Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of Sharjah, 27272 Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
b
Energy Research Centre, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, Pakistan

A R T I C LE I N FO A B S T R A C T

Keywords: According to different studies, building sector consumes around 40% of the total energy produced and it is
District cooling system (DCS) responsible for a major portion of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A significant share of this energy
Renewable energy consumption is used for cooling and heating purposes. District cooling system (DCS) has been widely used to
Biomass energy provide the necessary cooling comfort in residential, industrial and commercial buildings because of its low cost
Solar thermal energy
and high energy efficiency. DCS is a centralized system of supplying the thermal energy in form of chilled water
Geothermal energy
Surface water energy
for use in space cooling and dehumidification. In addition, DCS integrated with renewable energy is econom-
Solar PV energy ically feasible when compared to conventional cooling systems. The purpose of this review is to present the
Waste heat energy possible potential of DCS with different renewable energy technologies. The most suitable renewable energy
technologies that can be integrated with DCS are biomass energy, solar thermal energy, geothermal energy,
surface water energy, solar photovoltaic energy, and waste heat energy. The conclusions obtained from the six
contexts showed that the DCS has strong budding with these renewable energies to supply sustainable and clean
cooling energy options in the future world.

1. Introduction
The world is facing severe environmental and energy problems at
present. The greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) are the main threat to the
environment. Presently, the globe is being continuously affected by the
increasing amount of CO2 in the atmosphere [1–4]. As suggested by the
Inter-Government Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world climate is
continuously evolving. It has been rapidly changing globally and re-
gionally. Mainly, these adjustments are attributed in accordance with
the ethnic things to do and responsible for the emissions of Greenhouse
Gases (GHG). In particular, the energy grant systems and the fossil fuel
utilization are the major contributors in accordance with the discharge
regarding these gases [5–9]. Air pollution, acid rain precipitation and
stratospheric ozone diminution are the other major environmental
problems. [1,2,10]. The near vital action to address and cater the power
and environmental challenges are in conformity with having wise yet
environment-friendly utilize concerning energy, reusing energy waste
or eliminate the use of high-carbon fuels. [11,12]. During electricity
generation and other industrial applications, significant waste heat is
produced which contains valuable energy content. Most of the research
has been done to reuse waste energy, recycling, and integration of
waste heat, to moderate the consumption of fossil energies and various
energy assets. The most prominent, attractive and environmentally
friendly methodology for having the steps towards clean energy and
safer environment is to get benefit from the low-temperature thermal
heat from renewable energies. [13–16].
There has been a vital concern for the energy consumption in
buildings; this is due to the accelerating trend of energy usage for more
comforts worldwide. The energy consumption has increased from 20%
to 40% for domestic and commercials buildings in developed countries
[17]. It was estimated that in the year 2002, energy intake for buildings
accounted for about 33% of the worldwide greenhouse gas releases
[18]. In European Union, around 40% of the entire ultimate energy
produced is expended in residential plus commercial buildings and also
being responsible for 36% of the total CO2 emissions [19,20]. Between
40% and 80% of this energy share is used for cooling and heating
purposes [19,21]. In China, building shares accounted for around 25%
in 1996 of the overall nationwide energy consumption, growing to
around 28% in 2001. Now, it is projected to rise to 35% in the year
2020 [22]. A significant proposition of this energy consumption is used
for cooling and heating purposes in different regions of China [22,23].
In 2006, the building division expended 38.9% of the total key energy
used in the United States and about 35% of this amount was consumed
for air conditioning, space warming, and aeration [24]. In UAE, the
residential building sector is the major energy consumer utilizing 33%
of the total primary energy. The reason behind this high demand in

⁎
Corresponding author.
E-mail address: ainayat@sharjah.ac.ae (A. Inayat).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2019.03.023
Received 20 June 2018; Received in revised form 30 November 2018; Accepted 13 March 2019
Available online 18 March 2019
1364-0321/ © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
A. Inayat and M. Raza
domestic buildings is due to the inevitable use of air-conditioning in
UAE [25–27]. The on-site demand for the availability of electricity,
heating, and cooling can be fulfilled concurrently by a district energy
system. There are several leads which are achieved by the acceptance of
district energy system. These profits include mainly reduced transmis-
sion damages due to on-site electricity, improved conversion pro-
ductivity, consumption of waste heat, decrease in building large power
plants, extenuation in discharges, and utmost prominently exploitation
of renewable energies. [28–31]. The coherent design, proper develop-
ment, and implementation ensure a major role to attain supreme eco-
nomic benefits [32].
District cooling system (DCS) has been developed as a very im-
portant technology because of its high-quality cooling and high effec-
tiveness. The district cooling system (DCS) has major applications with
areas of high density of buildings. The thermal energy from the DCS is
distributed to commercial, residential, institutional, and industrial
customers from one central source. The energy supplied from DCS is
used in space cooling and dehumidification. [33,34]. The fundamental
idea is to use the local fuel, renewable energy, and waste heat resources
from industries that would otherwise be unexploited. DCS is therefore
used to encounter and satisfy the energy desires of the local customer
by using an energy distribution network as a confined marketplace
[35,36]. DCS can be divided up into two most important classes: de-
centralized and centralized. The decentralized DCS is appropriate for
huge-scale regions, the energy transformation equipment occur in
nearly each building after which distributed among diverse buildings in
the place. The centralized DCS that's appropriate for moderately small
capacities, the energy transformation technologies are outside the
buildings after which required energy flows in the direction of the
buildings through DCS network. [28,37,38]. The traditional energy
sources for DCS comprise combined heat and power (CHP) plants,
waste to energy, and different industrial processes. For better integra-
tion of DCS with sustainable energy resources, during the last few
decades, the much focus has been on the utilization of renewable en-
ergy resources. The most practical renewable energy resources for DCS
include solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, geothermal heat pumps,
geothermal wells, biomass fuels, and wind energy. [35,36,39]. Each
DCS scheme contains of the heat elimination system, the vital chiller
plant, the distribution scheme, plus the end consumer as presented in
Fig. 1 [33].
In contrast to an independently designed energy supply system to
residential buildings, DCS through single central plant lead to benefits
in energy productivity and financial profits [40]. There are plentiful
other methodological, profitable and ecological remunerations by using
Fig. 1. A typical district cooling system (DCS) network. [33].
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Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 107 (2019) 360–373
a DCS system when associated with the decentralized system. The best
rewarding benefits are ensuring cool water prices and performance to
consumers, dropping total electricity frame cost and capital disburse-
ment, dropping energy depletion, falling operative and maintenance
price, increasing dependability and competence by specialists in pro-
cess and management, growing ease and security, attractive sustainable
growth, and permitting the occupational administrators to emphasis on
key business [41]. The key focus of research and execution of DCS
developments is to use the blend of heat reprocessing and renewable
energies. This assists as the replacement of normal primary energy
supply for numerous societal heat loads. Hence, DCS economy can be
branded as an economy of opportunity rather than the economy of
magnitude [36].
In order to satisfy and maintain the new lifestyles, the rapid de-
velopment of our today’s society is synchronized with a high amount of
energy consumption [42–44]. However, the problems due to this ac-
celerated economic growth like GHG emissions, global warming, cli-
mate change creates constraints in using energy resources from fossil
fuels [45–49]. Moreover, because of the consequent increase in the
electricity prices and the depletion of fossil fuels make inescapable the
usage of alternative and renewable energy sources [42,48,50]. It is now
clear that the future growth of energy sector is primarily on the re-
newable sources of energy. Moving to renewables will serve the dual
goals of sustainable energy security, reducing GHG emissions, thereby
limiting the chances of future extreme climate impacts. Investing in
renewable energy source will have significant dividends for our reli-
able, timely, and cost-effective delivery of energy [46,48]. The energy
sources that continuously replenished by nature and comes directly
from the sun (such as photochemical, photo-electric, and thermal), in-
directly from the sun (such as photosynthetic energy stored in biomass,
wind, and hydropower) and also from other natural movements and
mechanisms of the environment (such as tidal energy and geothermal)
are the renowned, utilizable, and most sustainable renewable energy
sources [48,51].
2. District cooling system (DCS) using renewable energy
As the new technologies are developing every day, nevertheless, the
need for efficient and green energy is ubiquitous in our everyday lives.
By integrating the DCS system with indigenous renewable energy re-
sources, the GHG emissions can largely be controlled, thus, DCS with
renewable energies is not only the sustainable energy solution but, also
the climate solution. DCS can be operated independently or in a partial
energy mix scheme using the following systems.
A. Inayat and M. Raza
1. DCS via Biomass Energy
2. DCS via Solar Thermal Energy
3. DCS via Geothermal Energy
4. DCS via Solar PV Energy
5. DCS via Surface Water Energy
6. DCS via Waste Heat Energy
2.1. District cooling system (DCS) via biomass energy
Owing to the indeterminate price upsurges in fossil fuels and their
influences to climate change, the worldwide demand for the clean en-
ergy is growing over the past eras to encounter the fast stride of de-
velopment [52,53]. The energy from the biomass is one of the most
significant renewable energy sources in nearby future. [54–56]. The
third amongst the primary energy sources after coal and oil is the
biomass [54]. Biomass makes a substantial input of about 14% to
worldwide renewable energy consumption, though in rural areas of
developing countries this input is up to 90% [52]. Biomass is a term
covering different types of organic materials that can be processed or
burned to produce energy. Examples of biomass include forest and
agriculture residues or wood pellets, which are one of the richest
sources of sustainable, environmental-friendly fuels [57–60]. Table 1,
signifies the main groups of biomass and their sub-classification [61].
The primary energy is stored in biomass from solar energy during
photosynthesis. The energy stored during photosynthesis is 2 × 1012
times out of which only 0.5% by weight is used by human food as crops.
Carbon dioxide provides the carbon to biomass during the synthesis
process. The CO2 is recycled to the atmosphere when biomass is burned;
adding nothing to the atmospheric CO2 concentration over the spam of
growth, therefore the energy from the biomass is carbon neutral
[62,63]. Thermo-chemical and bio-chemical are the two processes of
converting energy stored in biomass for useful purposes. Thermo-che-
mical processes comprise combustion technology, pyrolysis technology,
and gasification technology whereas bio-chemical processes comprise
mostly fermentation and anaerobic digestion. The choice of conversion
mechanism depends solely on the type of application [64–69].
In DCS running on biomass, the absorber chiller generates the air
cooling effect from the heat generated by utilization the biomass. The
cooled air then circulates into different parts of the facility through
insulated pipelines and it is maintained at a consistent temperature
throughout the premises. The DCS system using thermal energy from
biomass resources to run absorption chiller is identified as a potential
replacement for conventional air conditioning systems which consumes
a significant amount of electricity or natural gas thus affecting en-
vironmental conditions [33,57]. The biomass-based energy production
together with primary energy saving, sustainable energy supply, and
greenhouse gas reduction are the key opportunities accessible by this
integrated system [33]. Seksan et al. [70] offered a study to examine
the prospects and potential of numerous types of technologies driven by
municipal solid waste (MSW) to deliver power and cooling. The heat
energy is recovered from the waste biomass incineration for use in the
absorption chillers. The biomass solid waste is efficiently utilized in-
stead of landfilling. It further reduces the CO2 emissions per unit of
cooling and overall energy consumption of 60% as compared to another
conventional compression chiller [70]. Rentizelas et al. [71] studied a
Table 1
Main groups of biomass and their sub-classification [61].
Groups Classification Examples
Virgin Biomass Terrestrial biomass The residues from the forests, cultivated crops and different types of grasses.
Aquatic biomass The different types of algae (micro-algae and macro-algae) and other water consuming plants.
Waste Biomass Community waste This type of biomass feedstock includes sewage waste, municipal waste, and other bio-solids.
Agriculture crops waste This type of biomass feedstock includes mainly agricultural crops residues, manures and livestock.
Forestry waste residues This type of biomass feedstock includes a variety of residues such as bark leaves and different floor residues.
Industrial wastages This type of biomass feedstock includes mainly waste oil, wood chips, and black liquor etc.
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Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 107 (2019) 360–373
newly established decision support system commonly known as DSS.
The DSS is developed for muti-biomass energy conversion applications.
The presented system is planned to support the investors. It supports by
completely assessing and presenting the investment plan in locally ex-
isting muti-biomass exploitation for multi-generation applications. The
multi-purpose includes heat energy for power generation, district
cooling, and heating systems. There has been a significant potential for
the consideration of multi-biomass supply chain in DCS. It presents the
advantages of cost reduction, diffusion of capital costs, and reducing
warehouse requirements [71]. Udomsri et al. [72] presented a study in
which the thermally driven chiller (TDC) was operated by combined
heat and power (CHP). The fuel used to operate the system was a
municipal solid waste. The absorption chiller was driven by the thermal
heat and stores the energy internally with high energy density. The
medium to store the energy was crystallized salt (LiCl) and water as a
refrigerant. The designed DCS was operated and monitored during the
summer season of 2008 in Sweden. The results show that the system
was capable of providing the required cooling requirements during the
hottest time of summer season [72]. Together commercial and in-
dustrial areas are identical with high energy utilization, for cooling and
heating. Which are in all-purpose related with enormous usage of fossil
fuels resulting additional greenhouse gas emissions [73]. Elisa et al.
[73] presented a system to upgrade the cooling facilities of two existing
buildings. The site for the building was a large industrial estate in
Umbria, Italy. The indoor air temperature during the hot season was
controlled by the cooling from absorption chiller. The absorption chiller
machine was integrated with the biomass boiler. The results sig-
nificantly show that the thermal driven DCS has more competence and
benefits than the electric compression chiller [73].
In district cooling system, the significant technological conversion
equipment is absorption chiller. In these machines, the cooling cycle is
governed by the thermal heat. Absorption chiller machine produces the
chilled water and it consumes a very small amount of electricity to run
the movers. Absorption chiller uses heat (low- grade energy) to drive
the refrigeration cycle, rather than using electricity (high-grade en-
ergy). The energy source may be steam, hot water, waste heat like
exhaust gases [74–76]. The thermal energy from biomass has proven to
be the most suitable, sustainable and clean energy source for district
cooling systems in commercial, industrial and residential buildings.
2.2. District cooling system (DCS) via solar thermal energy
By 2030, the CO2 emissions are expected to upsurge by 60% as
compared to the start of this century due to the unceasingly increased
amount of energy consumption worldwide [77–79]. The demand for
thermal comforts mainly because of the occupant’s indoor demands
during the summer and winter seasons. [80]. The main focus of many
scientists worldwide is on the most abundantly available solar energy.
Solar energy is easily and cheaply accessible during all year in most part
of the planet earth. Solar energy has most applications with areas of
high solar radiations, especially during the summer period. Mainly
these applications include water heating, district cooling system, do-
mestic cooking, electricity production, and refrigeration purposes [81].
The average value of the solar radiation constant from the Sun is esti-
mated to be 1368 W/m2. These radiations are received as a result of the
A. Inayat and M. Raza
electromagnetic radiations released from the Sun during the thermo-
nuclear reactions that occur inside its core [80,82]. The demand for the
cooling during the hot summer period can be achieved by installing the
thermally driven cooling machines. These thermally driven cooling
machines have many advantages of energy efficiency and reduced en-
vironmental issues as compared to the vapor compression machines.
Therefore, the best substitute to meet the ever-growing energy loads
and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions indeed lies in the usage of
renewable energies [83]. For thermal heating purposes, the solar en-
ergy can add considerably to the worldwide energy necessities. Ac-
cording to the survey made in OECD countries, it is found that about
half of the total final energy produced is utilized for the heating pur-
poses. The demand for heating is much more than the other main
contributors in final energy usage i-e it is 17% for electricity con-
sumption and 27% for the transportation sector [84]. In this scenario,
the objectives of the energy security and climate change can be meeting
by the considerable contributions of solar heat. The cooling demand
during the summer season can be satisfied by the excess quantity of
solar radiations which offers an prospect to consume solar thermal (ST)
technologies [85]. This solar thermal (ST) technology has the potential
to replace the fossil fuels that are directly burned to produce thermal
energy. It also eliminates the electricity consumption to provide the hot
water and cooling demand inside the buildings. Solar thermal cooling
simply replaces the vapor compression chillers with the thermal-heat
activated chillers to provide necessary thermal comfort. [86]. Solar
thermal driven district cooling system (DCS) comprises of solar thermal
collectors linked to thermally driven chillers to deliver space cooling in
buildings [87]. The solar thermal powered cooling system is known as
the green cold production technology. The consumption of solar
thermal heat for absorption refrigeration is an established technology
and it has demonstrated its possibility to be driven by low grade solar
energy [88]. The working principle of the cooling system driven by the
solar thermal (ST) technology is that it converts the solar radiations into
the heat energy. This heat energy is used to generate the required
cooling by using it in thermally driven absorption chiller machines. Due
to this ease and scope of cooling by solar thermal technology, there has
been an increasing number of installations worldwide [89]. Another
advantage of using thermally activated absorption chiller machines for
cooling purposes is that they do not emit the greenhouse gases and has
no retarding effect on the ozone layer. Contrary to these machines,
traditional vapor compression machines use chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) gases which have
abundant potential for ozone layer depletion and global warming. The
hazards of global warming can easily be eliminated by using the clean
cooling systems such as LiBr/H2O absorption chiller. [90,91]. The
benefits of installing the DCS via solar thermal operated absorption
chiller comprises that they run by low heat energy, these installations
are less noisy, they have very few moving parts and utmost prominently
that this ST technology do not release greenhouse gases [92]. Solar
thermal collectors are installed to obtain the solar thermal energy.
Amongst the different types of solar thermal collector, flat plate col-
lectors are mostly installed. For reaching high thermal energy solar
energy parabolic troughs are also installed as they give more
Table 2
Most commonly used solar thermal collectors.
Motion Type
Stationary solar collector Flat plate thermal collector
Evacuated tube thermal collector
Compound parabolic thermal collector
Single-axis tracking solar collector Linear Fresnel reflector
Parabolic trough thermal collector
Cylindrical trough thermal collector
Two-axes tracking solar collector Parabolic dish collector
Heliostat field thermal collector
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Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 107 (2019) 360–373
concentrated solar energy [93–95]. Table 2, represents the commer-
cially available solar thermal collectors with their concentration ratio,
movement profile, and available temperature ranges for each individual
type [96,97].
The utilization of this solar thermal technology (ST) has gained
important significance in residential, commercial and industrial build-
ings, where there is a requirement for low- temperature hot water or
steam for space cooling during the hot season [98]. The energy created
from these solar thermal collectors can be straightly used for heating
applications, domestic hot water and also provided to district cooling
systems (DCS) to run the absorption chiller machines [99,100]. Cur-
rently, the majority of the DCS with solar thermal energy designs in-
clude solar thermal collectors and thermally-activated chiller machines
together with thermal energy storage systems [81,90,101,102]. DCS
designed in such a way provides commercial availability, suitable ca-
pital cost, clean energy, and ultimately energy efficiency [81]. The low
thermal heat requirement of the absorption chillers in DCS is com-
pletely supplied by the solar thermal collectors. Especially, in summer
season this energy demand is easily fulfilled. Due to this reason, DCS
with solar thermal technology is becoming very common in countries
with hot climates [103,104]. The solar thermal energy driven district
cooling systems are also of viable importance in countries having a low-
local supply of fossil fuels [105]. The demand for space cooling and
dehumidification in the building sector is increasing continuously over
the last few decades. The increase has been seen equally in both de-
veloped and developing countries [80]. The issues of electricity
shortage, less energy storage systems, and depleting energy fuels has
made the solar thermal (ST) technology in the developing countries a
vital choice for building sector to provide an easily available, sustain-
able, and environmentally friendly space cooling facilities during the
energy shortage periods and in hot seasons [100]. Table 3, represents
the summary of the important literary contributions to the exploitation
of solar thermal systems.
2.3. District cooling system (DCS) via geothermal energy
Geothermal energy is a form of energy which is obtainable as
thermal heat. This thermal energy is accessible from the earth's central
core almost 4000 miles deep from the earth's outer surface. There is a
double-layered core which constitutes the earth's solid iron center. The
double-layer core of the earth is made up of very hot magma fluid
[114,115]. The reason for the very high temperature found inside the
earth's central surface is the very slow decay of radioactive particles
[114,116]. The mantle surrounds the outer surface of the core. The
mantle consists of very hot magma fluid and rocks. The thickness of the
mantle is approximately 1800 miles. The outermost layer of the earth's
structure is called crust. This crust makes the continents and oceans on
this planet earth. The earth's crust is 15–35 miles thick on the con-
tinents and it is around 3–5 miles thick from the surface of the oceans
[114,117]. The crust of the earth is further divided into different sec-
tions called the earth plates. The plates are connected to each other
closely but magma comes out to the surface of the earth from the spaces
between these plates. The edges of these plates are responsible for the
Mean concentration ratio Average temperature range (°C)
1 30–220
1 50–220
1–5 50–320
10–45 50–270
15–50 50–400
15–60 50–300
650–1800 150–1500
250–1400 150–2000
A. Inayat and M. Raza Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 107 (2019) 360–373

Table 3
Summary of solar thermal driven cooling systems.
Technology Method-Contribution Reference

Single-Stage LiBr-H2O
LiBr-H2O-Absorption chillers
Flat plate Solar thermal collectors
Solar thermal and Solar PV
LiBr-H2O-Absorption chillers
Flat solar thermal collectors
Solar driven adsorption cooling
system
Single and double-effect LiBr
absorption chiller
Thermally driven absorption chiller
Thermally driven LiBr absorption
chiller
The different type of educational buildings was analyzed in Italian climate conditions. For these F. Calise. 2010 [106]
buildings, the energy and economic feasibility were presented. The cooling facilities for these
buildings were assisted by the solar thermal (ST) technology. The results were presented as an
economic model for the demonstrated system. The outcomes from the model presented show that
the solar thermal driven district cooling system has a high potential for energy efficiency and cost-
effectiveness
An overview of solar thermal energy for running absorption chillers in Thailand climate. Different J Tawatchai et al. 2010 [90]
solar thermal collector designs, potentials, and applicability are discussed. The utilization of
thermal collectors can increase if more research is done on its application for DCS.
The paper presents the applications and potential of flat plate collectors for usage in district cooling C Gianpiero et al. 2016 [98]
systems. It also highlights the valuable scientific research on the development of flat plate
collectors. An overview of the new materials, thermal fluids, and geometric designs of flat-plate
collectors were presented for last decade.
The paper presents the outcomes of the Australian Project (CiQuSo). The aim of the project was to Philip Horn et al. 2015 [107]
develop and optimize the different schemes for solar energy assisted systems to provide heating and
cooling to buildings. The solar PV and solar thermal hybrid technology (PV/T) were presented as an
effective and economic system to provide the heating and cooling in buildings. The paper further
elaborates the approach to install DCS integrated with solar energies.
A domestic-scale prototype solar thermal cooling system (DCS) has been developed in Cardiff A Francis et al. 2010 [108]
University, UK. Based on daily solar radiation, the cooling system as well as the performance of the
components was estimated. The presented system successfully demonstrated its potential of
application in domestic scale buildings. The results also show high coefficient of thermal and
electrical performance.
The study presents the application of solar thermal (ST) technology for providing thermal heat to Reim et al. 2005 [109]
district cooling systems. A comprehensive comparison was made between different flat plate
collectors use in these applications. The results show that there has been a significant decrease of
about 40% in thermal heat losses when using flat plate collector with having aerogel insulation.
The article presents the feasibility of solar thermal technology for cooling applications. The A El Fadar. 2015 [110]
thermally activated absorption chiller machines were modeled and simulated for this study. The
results show the high applicability of solar thermal driven machines for efficient and economical
cooling in buildings.
The paper presents the comparative study for solar thermal and solar PV. Both of these solar energy M Noro and R.M Lazzarin.
technologies were used in one office building situated in Milan, Italy. The results show that the 2014 [111]
highest efficiency is achieved with LiBr double effect absorption chiller machine. The solar thermal
collector used in this system was a parabolic trough solar thermal collector.
The study presents the solar collectors integrated with buildings to provide the cooling system. The K.F.Fong et al. 2011 [112]
results were compared with conventional cooling machines. The proposed solar thermal collectors
for cooling in buildings have a low solar fraction and high energy requirements.
The work presents a hybrid system designed for DCS in Italian weather conditions. The hybrid A. Buonomano et al. 2012
system includes the solar thermal and solar photovoltaic. The results show that the system economic [113]
profitability is related to the scale economics and capital investment. However, there is a great
potential for hybrid (PV/T) technology to be used in DCS.

volcanoes and presence of magma on the earth's surface commonly
known as lavas. The magma transfer heat to the underground water and
rocks found in the earth crust [114,118]. The temperature rises pro-
gressively with depth towards the central core, at the center of the earth
reaching more than 4200 °C [115,117,119].
Geothermal considered a renewable energy which generated within
the earth and can be used directly for heating or transformed into the
electricity. Its major advantage over other renewable energies is that it
is available all year-long and on every time of the day [120–122]. The
quantity of obtainable heat inside 10,000 m of the earth’s surface is
assessed to comprise 50,000 manifolds more energy content than all oil
and gas resources worldwide. Geothermal energy also contributes to
reduced global warming effects and public health risks resulting from
the use of conventional energy sources and decrease in dependency on
fossil fuel for meeting growing energy demands [123]. In accordance
with the second law of thermodynamics, there should be a natural
temperature gradient from higher to lower temperature source. The
thermal heat present inside the earth's surface, therefore, moves to-
wards the outer surface of the earth where an estimated 42 million
thermal megawatts are unceasingly radiated into space. However, some
of this thermal heat is reserved at temperatures and depths for its
commercial applications by the geological process called plate tec-
tonics. The process of plate tectonics also contributes to mountain
building and volcanism [124,125]. For the extraction of geothermal
energy from the earth surface, the geological structure always consists
of a thermal heat source, inside earth reservoir, and water, Water is the
most common heat transfer fluid found inside the geothermal reservoirs
[117]. Geothermal energy reaches the outer earth surface by hot water,
steam, or mixture of both, mostly at high pressure when a borehole is
drilled into the geothermal reservoir. The geothermal reservoirs can be
categorized as low-temperature reservoirs having a temperature less
than 90 °C, medium-temperature reservoirs having a temperature in
between 90 °C and 150 °C, and finally, the high-temperature reservoirs
having temperatures higher than 150 °C [114]. The application of low-
temperature geothermal reservoirs include direct heating while
medium-temperature and high-temperature geothermal reservoirs are
used for power production [114,126,127]. Geothermal energy has
many advantages which include a higher degree of availability than
other renewable energy resources, less land requirement, less atmo-
spheric pollutants, no land and liquid pollution, and completely in-
dependent from weather conditions [128].
The geothermal energy has been used in district cooling system
(DCS) worldwide and the installations are increasing continuously be-
cause the thermal energy from the geothermal wells has proven to be
sustainable, cheap, and safe renewable energy resource. Therefore, it
shows a high potential of thermal heat required to run the district
cooling system. It is expected that geothermal energy will replace the
use of conventional energy resources for meeting the energy demands
in district cooling systems [129]. During the year 2000, the amount of
total energy produced from geothermal wells was 53,000 GW h. While

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A. Inayat and M. Raza Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 107 (2019) 360–373

Table 4
Summary of the important literary contributions to the use of geothermal energy in DCS.
Technology Method- Contribution Reference

NH3-H2O refrigeration
Geothermal heating system for building
A single-stage 10 kW Li-Br water
absorption cycle
Absorption heat pump
Single stage absorption cooling system
Geothermal assisted air-conditioning
system
Study was executed to enhance the geothermal assisted absorption refrigeration system. The Abtullah et al. 2016 [134]
working fluid was NH3-H2O. Geothermal resources was parametrically analyzed and successfully
modeled. Results suggests its high potential for using in absorption refrigeration systems.
The direct use of geothermal energy at Taupo Hospital, New Zealand was commissioned and Ridwan et al. 2015 [135]
successfully demonstrated for replacing the two coal fired boilers. Results show significant savings in
terms of operation, maintenance and with zero greenhouse gases emissions.
A district cooling system was analyzed using the geothermal energy. The geothermal heat source was Agnieszka Rogowska 2003
used to run the absorption chiller cooling system. This system was presented at Stargard Szczecinski, [136]
Poland. The DCS was designed for two different types of models having a capacity of 10 kW each.
The results were presented showing its high applicability to DCS. The results were taken further
ahead and made functional to an advanced chiller design for DCS.
The study gives us an overview of the applications of geothermal energy assisted applications in Thorleikur et al. 2014
space cooling. It gives us the application of geothermal heat pump. The purpose of the study is to [137]
highlight the key literature available for geothermal heat pump cycle, available technologies, and
the influencing factors for the geothermal heat pump in DCS.
The study presents the DCS operated with geothermal energy based absorption chiller machine. The Ceyhun Yilmaz 2017 [132]
presented system was analyzed for different cooling demands and coefficient of performance (COP).
The economic analysis of the system presents an annual savings of 166,610 $/year. These annual
savings were based on the total lifetime of the DCS calculated by life cycle cost analysis method.
The study was carried out in Jinshan, China. The purpose of the demonstration project was to utilize Jen Hui et al. 2013 [133]
the geothermal hot water and analyze its effect on the geothermal assisted air-conditioning system.
Geothermal medium temperature hot water at around 90–100 °C was used in this process. The
results show that there has been a 26% electrical efficiency found in the geothermal governed air-
conditioning system which presents its valuable potential in DCS.

the total capacity of the direct geothermal energy applications i-e for
direct heating was around 15,000 MW [130]. The various applications
of the geothermal direct energy applications include domestic bathing,
the heating requirement in swimming pools, thermal-heat for absorp-
tion chillers for space cooling, to run geothermal heat pumps, in various
industrial applications, many other uses like drying of agricultural
crops, snow melting, and to fulfill various warm water requirements
[131]. In DCS integrated with a geothermal energy source, the thermal
cycle of the absorption chiller to provide the cooling is activated
through the low-energy resource from geothermal energy. The waste
heat resource from the geothermal power plants can also be utilized to
run the absorption chiller machines in DCS [132]. Absorption chiller
technology governed by the thermal heat from the geothermal energy
resource is an astute technology of consuming low-grade geothermal
heat to attain thermal comfort economically [132,133]. Table 4, re-
presents the summary of the important literary contributions to the
exploitation of geothermal energy in district cooling systems.
2.4. District cooling system (DCS) via solar photovoltaic
The aim to prevent the planet against pollution and in addition to
produce electricity with an unlimited source, renewable energy source
especially solar photovoltaic systems are opted [138,139]. Therefore,
the sustainable economic growth depends on the easily accessible, se-
cure, and clean energy. Due to the fast-growing demand for energy
consumption worldwide, the energy demands are expected to increase
by 33% [140]. The abundant use of economic energy for electricity and
heat can easily be achieved by solar energy. Solar energy has the major
advantage of zero emission and therefore it is more environmental
friendly than other renewable energy resources [141]. Solar photo-
voltaic cells are used to convert the incident solar radiations directly
into electrical power. The conversion of solar energy to electricity is
without any chemical reaction or mechanical work. Mostly the solar
conversion cells are made up of silicon material. The silicon is doped
with some materials to form a p-n junction. When light falls on the
surface, an electric current is produced [142]. Silicon solar cells have
shown the high conversion efficiency of nearly 25%. Therefore, these
cells have most installations worldwide [143–145] To deal with the
electricity supply efficiently by solar PV systems is the best solution to
deal with power outages and step towards clean energy. Due to this
reason, there are an increased number of solar PV installations for
power generation worldwide. It has been seen that these installations
are growing at an annual increase of 30% [146]. Solar photovoltaics
(PV), is considered serious to confronting evolving environmental and
energy issues. As a result of which, various financial support systems
and policies have been introduced to inspire consumers to invest in
solar PV systems [147]. PV cells are arranged in series or parallel
known as PV modules or PV panels. These panels have advantages like
easy installation and they do not require much maintenance as com-
pared to other power generation systems [148]. Several other benefits
include noiseless operation, safer operation, lower operational costs,
and without any air pollution [149]. With over 300 GW of total capacity
by the end of year 2016, PV systems represents nearly 1.5% of the total
worldwide electricity production and it is attractive key part in the
energy transition [150,151]. By the year 2020, 500 GW total capacities
will be reached and the further TW level in the next decade. It is highly
projected that by 2050 PV generated electricity will share higher than
20% share of total worldwide energy demands [150]. Till 2016, around
94% of the total PV installations were having a solar cell of crystalline
silicon [151].
To meet the worldwide energy demands and minimize the green-
house gas emissions, it is important to supply the energy demands of
buildings by renewable energy resources as they account for about one-
third of the total energy requirements and responsibilities for the
equivalent share of emissions. The building system in which the energy
demand is completely met by the renewable energy resources is called
the net-zero energy building and it is commonly known as nZEB [152].
During the past few decades, the building sector consumes a major
share of energy consumption worldwide and this share escalates during
the hot summer seasons putting increased load on the grid [153]. The
reason for this high energy demand during the summer seasons is the
use of conventional air-conditioning units that work on vapor com-
pression refrigeration cycle and consume high electricity [154]. To
cater the issue of electricity load, solar PV generated electricity is
provided to the buildings for cooling purpose. Solar PV assisted DCS
system uses the solar PV electricity as a primary energy source and grid
electricity as a secondary energy source. The close concurrence of
building cooling demand and PV sourced electricity supports to meet
peak electricity load from buildings [21]. Solar PV systems can support
to decrease the cooling energy requirements of buildings, to decrease

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Table 5
Summary of the important literary contributions to the exploitation of solar PV energy in cooling systems and its potential for district cooling system.
Technology Method-Contribution Reference

Electrical compression chillers
Hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T)
modules
Solid desiccant air-condition system
Solar PV and thermal energy
Façade integration of solar cooling
systems
Hybrid solar PV-grid powered air-
conditioner
Solar thermoelectric cooling-heating
system
A methodical simulation study and research was made to estimate the complete performance Ursula Eicker et al.2015 [156]
of PV supported compression cooling systems in office buildings. The study was carried out
at different climate conditions worldwide. The results demonstrate high acceptability and
efficiency of PV operated compression cooling systems.
In this study, the different solar energy solutions were analyzed. The PV assisted cooling Clara Good et al. 2015 [152]
system was applied to Norwegian residential building. The target of the integration with PV
energy was to have building concept with net zero balance. Different schemes for the PV/T
technology was analyzed and discussed.
The purpose of the study was to demonstrate the use of PV/T integrated cooling systems. The Mohammad Saghafifar and Mohamed
study was carried out under different conditions of UAE. A detailed thermodynamic behavior Gadalla. 2015 [157]
was presented to evaluate the air-conditioning system. Results present the valuable potential
of PV/T assisted DCS for buildings.
The paper presents the comparison of two systems using the solar PV and solar thermal Daniel Nayer et al. 2018 [158]
technologies. The first system was the water heat pump governed by solar PV/T and the
second system consisting of solar thermally driven absorption chiller machine for space
cooling. The results of both design cases show that with proper design & control system, the
efficiency is achieved in both cases as compared to conventional energy resources.
This paper deliberates the existing potentials for façade integration of solar cooling Alejandro Prieto et al. 2017 [159]
technologies, making an outline for sympathetic acceptability, and additional progress of
solar cooling façade systems. The planned outline was made by means of a review of solar
cooling technologies together with solar cooling façade concepts.
The study presents a hybrid solar PV-grid assisted cooling system. The system was installed R. Opoku et al. 2018 [160]
to provide the cooling facilities during the hot daytime in Kumasi, Ghana. The
thermodynamic analysis and economic analysis were performed. It has been found that
during a typical hot day, a 1040 Wp solar PV system with 200 Ah, 24 V battery
configurations has a monthly mean solar fraction of 51% for an air-conditioner system.
The study made a theoretical and experimental valuation of a solar thermoelectric cooling- Roonak Daghigh and Yawar
heating system using photovoltaic (PV) collector. The system was installed in weather Khaledian. 2018 [161]
conditions of Snandaj, Iran. The thermoelectric cooling system was tested as an auxiliary
system to decrease the electric requirement of compression cooling system and increase its
coefficient of performance during daytime. The results presented very exciting working time
usability, energy consumption, coefficient of performance, and thermoelectric hybrid
cooling system.

Fig. 3. District cooling system using surface water [33].

Fig. 2. Deep sea water and temperatures [170].
the energy consumption of the artificial lighting system, to deliver vi-
sual comfort, to guarantee healthy natural lightening, and to produce
solar electricity and solar heat at the same time [155]. Solar photo-
voltaic has, therefore, a huge potential to support the cooling system in
buildings either to individual cooling devices or to the district cooling
systems (DCS) with one central electric cooling system and integrated
with solar PV electricity. The DCS integrated with solar PV is clean,
energy efficient, cheap, and the most easily available district cooling
system, due to this reason it has more implementation projects and
adaptability in domestic, commercial, and residential buildings.
Table 5, represents the summary of the important literary contributions
to the exploitation of solar PV energy in cooling systems and express its
potential for district cooling system.
2.5. District cooling system (DCS) via surface water energy
Sustainable energy gives meaningfully to the sustainable develop-
ment as all actions and services in our society depend upon suitable

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Table 6
Summary of some literary contributions to the exploitation of deep surface water in DCS.
Technology Method-Contribution References

Ocean thermal energy The paper presents the operation of surface water energy in Dalian city of China. Li Zhen et al. 2006 [172]
The cooling is easily possible for coastal cities using the cold deep seawater. The
result presents that the seawater assisted cooling system has numerous
advantages of lesser annual cost, substantial energy saving, and environmental
advantages compared with other renewable energies and fossil fuels.
Seawater source heat pump The energy requirements of the buildings for cooling can easily be possible with Haiwen Shu et al. 2010 [173]
(DCH) deep sea cold water during hot climates. But there are many possible schemes for
the DCS using deep sea cold water. These schemes mostly vary in their principal
cost, working cost, maintenance cost, mechanism performance, energy savings,
and scope of environmental safety.
Deep seawater The flat pieces of land during land reclamation in Hong Kong are the ideal places T.T Chow et al. 2004 [174]
for the application of district cooling technologies. Because of the large-scale
production together with the convenience of bringing in seawater for condenser
cooling, the chiller plant is higher in efficiency than those in individual buildings.
Deep seawater With the emphasis on the energy use, the paper summaries an energy modeling T.T Chow et al. 2004 [175]
procedure and decision methodology to utilize the most appropriate
arrangements for the DCS using deep cold seawater. A planned outline for the
South Kowloon development project in Hong Kong is mentioned as an example to
explain the method.
Water-cooled air-conditioning The assessment between the water-cooled air-conditioning system and air-cooled F.W.H. Yik et al. 2000 [176]
system air-conditioning system are discussed. The examination of the viability and
feasibility of broadening the use of water-cooled air-conditioning system by the
facility of centralized, district-wide water supply systems, including seawater
supply systems for once-through condenser cooling or for the make-up of water
losses at cooling towers, and district cooling system. Results found by thorough
simulation, and with building energy use data obtained from surveys and audits
are explained.
Deep seawater The paper presents the district cooling system using the water-filled rock Swedish environmental agency report. 2011 [177]
chamber system under the Kungsholmen in Stockholm. The system has been
installed by the Fortum company to demonstrate the cold water utilization for
cooling system. The normal cooling plants can be replaced, and both high energy
demand for DCS and the risk of ozone-depleting constituents will vanish along
with them.
Deep seawater The report is an evaluation for using cold seawater to provide air conditioning for Department of business, economic development &
areas in Hawaii. A seawater district cooling system consists of a cold seawater tourism- Energy resource, and technology division. 2002
supply line was used to run the DCS. This amounts to about 10% or less, of what [178]
is needed for the conventional A/C system.

Fig. 4. Diagram of potential single process heat reclamation energy flows [185].

deliveries of energy. As a part of building energy consumption, cooling
and heating systems account for more than 50% of the total energy
consumption in buildings. The price of attaining a more justifiable
energy is always inconsistent [162]. Amongst many renewable energy
resources, surface water is the maximum ample and often utilized in
district cooling systems [33]. Numerous DCS developments situated in
coastline cities worldwide consume deep seawater as a cold source of
energy. The surface of the oceans absorbs the solar energy and is ap-
proximately at 25–30 °C, whereas the cold bottom water, below
500–1000 m is at about 4 °C. The required water depths are found
within 10 km from the shoreline [163–165]. The ocean shields a slight
higher than 70% of the total area of the earth surface. That is why it is
the world’s largest energy resource as well as energy collector [166].
Deep, cold water, which is formed at higher latitudes and inclines to
flow along the seafloor to the equator. Thermocline separates the warm
water layer from the cold water layer. The warm water layer extends to
a depth of 100–200 m [167,168]. DCS scheme functioned from deep
seawater has numerous benefits which primarily comprise huge energy
savings about 90%, established technology, little financial reimburse-
ment period, ecologically safe, costs are approximately independent of
future energy price upsurge, and cold seawater available for many other
uses [169]. Seawater temperatures decrease with depth through the
world’s tropical oceans. The presence of the deep-water ocean hot sink
as a result of consequences from regular climate progressions wherever

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Table 7
Economic analysis of district cooling system integrated with various renewable energy technologies.
Renewable Energy Economic Analysis/Financial Paybacks

DCS via Biomass energy
DCS via Solar thermal energy
DCS via Geothermal energy
DCS via Solar photovoltaic
DCS via Surface water energy
Kristina Difs et al. [187] presented the economic effects and the potential of biomass resources to be utilizable in District heating and cooling
systems. The biomass gasification technology was used to generate the thermal energy. To identify the most profitable alternatives, an economic
optimization model was employed. The study reports that the biomass gasification introduced in DCS was able to provide the economic benefits.
DCS via biomass is of great interest for suppliers and will help to meet the 2020 goals of sustainable energy and greenhouse gas emissions.
Natalia Kabalina et al [188] presented an economic study integrating the district cooling and heating system with biomass resources (agricultural
residue and waste resources). The primary target of the research was to assess the economic prospects of polygeneration district cooling and
heating system with biomass gasification. The results have shown that the investment payback period is 3 years and the efficiency of the system
has increased to 83.6%.
G. Franchini et al. [189] presented a study for predicting the performance and economy of DCS via solar thermal energy within the city of
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The economic performance was evaluated for two different solar thermal collectors. The two-stage Li-Br absorption chiller
driven by parabolic trough collector and single stage Li-Br absorption chiller by evacuated tube collectors. The result presents a high economic
advantage of using the two-stage Li-Br absorption chiller driven by parabolic trough collector with a 30% increase in the profitability. Also, both
models have economic advantages as compared to DCS with traditional energy sources.
M. Ortiz et al. [190] developed a numerical model to find the economic potential of the solar assisted district cooling and heating system. The
system was presented for an educational building with the better performance and optimum control parameters. The results present that the
energy requirements can be reduced to 33–43% by solar assisted cooling. The economic benefits are made visible by the operation of the solar-
assisted system within a much larger district energy system and which makes it possible to attain the maximum performance.
Ali Kecebas [191] presents the energy, economic, and environmental analysis of district cooling and heating system. The evaluation of these
parameters was performed in the Afyon, Turkey. For the economic and environmental calculations, the data was taken from the technical
departments. The result of the presented study strongly suggested that the geothermal energy assisted district energy systems are much cheaper
than the traditional fossil fuels.
Berkan Erdogmus et al. [192] presented a district energy system from an economic perspective. The demonstrated system is located in Izmir,
Turkey and the largest one in terms of energy supply capacity. Various factors have been modeled to absorb the fluctuations in operation cost and
hard currency. The results of the economic analysis found that the proper monthly energy utilization price for a 100 m2 household would be the
US $ 55.
Daniel Neyer et al. [193] assessed the economic performance of solar assisted cooling systems. An economic and technical methodology was
designed and tested in the course of IEA SHC Task 53. Two systems have been analyzed in this study i-e. a) air/water heat pump with solar PV
and solar thermal for meeting the cooling load supporting small house located in Madrid and b) Solar thermal driven absorption chiller with solar
PV supported heat pump for meeting cooling demand of a hotel in Innsbruck. The results deliver cost competitiveness in both the cases with
appropriate system design and process control.
Eftin Popovski et al. [194] presented the technical and economic feasibility of sustainable heating and cooling supplies in southern European
municipalities. The city of Portugal was considered with having the research focus to find the cost-effectiveness solutions of cooling and heating
demand in these conditions. The results show that the heat pump system combined with solar PV is cost-effective from the economic prospects in
the comparison to status quo. The sensitive analyses were conducted to include the influential factors like capital investment, interest rates, and
fuel prices.
Christopher M. Looney [195] presented a technical and economic analysis of seawater district cooling (SDC) and lake source district cooling
(LSDC). These systems can be installed anywhere have a sufficient cold water supply from either deep sea or lake and located near to a dense
central air conditioning load. Results show that the integration of SDC and LSDC into the district cooling system has proven to save more than
85% energy than conventional air conditioning systems and saves a lot of money due to by-passing the absorption chiller requirement in the DCS.
T.K Leraand and J.C. Van Ryzin [196] presented a cost-effective alternative for the west beach, OAHU, HAWAII using the air-conditioning with
deep seawater. They made the economic viability of deep seawater with centralized air conditioning systems. Using the seawater air conditioning
system (SWACS) from around 2000 m depth, study suggests a saving of around 80% as compared to the conventional cooling systems. It also
suggests that the system is economical as well as unsophisticated. The installations of large systems at selected locations are economically
attractive today.

water is cooled at the poles becomes thick and sinks into the deep
ocean. The temperatures of around 8 °C and slightly colder are available
at 700 m depth within the tropical zone, and 4 C and colder at ap-
proximately 1000 m, as presented in Fig. 2 [170].
The DCS chillers can be by-passed if the cool water available is low
enough. By having this free cooling technology the energy requirements
of the DCS is further reduced [33]. Deep cold seawater is pumped to the
surface and passes through a heat exchange network to cool down air-
conditioning network [171]. A DCS using surface water (deep sea water
and also sometimes lake water) is shown in Fig. 3.
Deep sea cold water is, therefore, the most abundant and easily
accessible renewable energy resource available for cooling purposes. It
has a great potential to be integrated with district cooling system (DCS)
to provide the necessary thermal comfort during summer seasons to
commercial, industrial and domestic buildings. The economical avail-
ability of cold surface water and the efficiency increase due to one
central unit through DCS against the other individual traditional
cooling systems makes the cooling comfort in buildings very efficient
and cheap. Table 6, represents the summary of some literary con-
tributions to the exploitation of deep surface water energy in cooling
systems and express its potential for district cooling system.
2.6. District cooling system (DCS) via waste heat recovery
Nationwide energy safety, increasing energy prices, progressively
competitive worldwide markets, and severe environmental releases
procedures are main forces in the search for every possible sustainable
and economically feasible technologies for competent and clean
methods to energy adaptation and application [179]. The waste heat is
generally produced during many industrial processes as waste heat. The
waste heat can either be received as radiation energy, as cooling fluid,
hot exhaust gases etc. Work can be performed from these waste heat
energies as they contain valuable energy content [180]. Iron and steel
industry is one of the most energy-intensive industries and accounts for
around 4–5% of the total worldwide energy consumption. Iron industry
has abundant potential for waste heat recovery [181]. Data centers
work 24 h a day, 365 days a year, and the miniaturization of the
components and increase of the processing power results in a huge
energetic density. Now, new technologies have been developed to have
heat recovery from these data centers [182,183]. Heat recovery is,
therefore, a technique of decreasing the total energy consumption of
your structure and therefore minimizing the process costs. Recovered
heat can help you decrease energy consumption or deliver valuable
heat for other purposes [184]. Industrial processes use large quantities
of fuel and electricity that ultimately produce heat, much of which is
wasted either to the atmosphere or to water. In a process that requires

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Table 8 well as economic feasibility for the installation and replacement of

National Targets of European countries for RES H&C in 2005, 2010, and 2020 traditional compression cooling machines with the low-energy gov-
[201]. erned absorption chiller machines in district cooling systems (DCS).
Country 2005 (%) 2010 (%) 2020 (%) Table 7, presents the economic analysis of district cooling system in-
tegrated with various renewable energy technologies.
Austria 24.3 30.5 32.6
Belgium 2.3 3.5 11.9
4. World energy policies on DCS via renewable energy systems
Bulgaria 15.28 16.50 23.8
Cyprus 9.1 16.2 23.5
Czech Republic 8.4 10.2 14.1 For bioenergy based DCS the factor for the utmost success are the
Denmark 23.2 30.8 39.8 government policies that handle bioenergy. Major reason for its utili-
Estonia 16.3 19.2 17.6
zation is the ability to reduce the carbon accumulation in the atmo-
Finland 40 37 47
France 13.6 17 33
sphere. Its utilization can be promoted by imparting additional taxes on
Germany 6.6 9 15.5 the fossil fuels [197]. Finland and Sweden are the leading countries for
Greece 12.76 14.7 19.7 the integration of bioenergy into DCS due to their long-standing policies
Hungary 5.4 9.0 18.9 for sustainable and green energy [198]. Presently, there are guidelines
Ireland 3.5 4.3 12
being followed by various countries for integrating their indigenous
Italy 2.8 6.53 17.09
Latvia 42.7 45.3 53.4 renewable energies into the district cooling and heating systems in the
Lithuania 27 28 39 year 2020 and high targets in 2060 [199]. Currently, many European
Luxembourg 1.7 2.1 8.5 member states have potential for using these systems [200]. Table 8,
Malta – 7.9 6.2
presents the statistical data of 27 European states for the integration of
The Netherlands 2.5 3.7 8.7
Poland – 12.29 17.05
renewable energy systems for heating and cooling systems (RES H&C).
Portugal 31.9 30.7 30.6 The member states have given incentives through polices for achieving
Romania 18.73 17.86 22.05 the targets of RES H&C. In EU-27, the technologies which are most
Slovakia 6.1 7.6 14.06 commonly supported by the government policies are biomass (16
Slovenia 20 22.3 30.8
member states), solar-thermal (15 member states), and geothermal
Spain 8.8 11.3 18.9
Sweden 53.7 57 62.1 energy (9 member states) [201]. RES H&C is also supported through tax
United Kingdom 0.7 1 12 incentives for its promotion in EU-27 member states. Table 9, presents
the information on this matter [202].

Table 9 5. Summary and conclusion

EU members supporting RES H&C by incentives [202].
Country Deductions Exemptions Reduced tax rate This paper highlights the growing concern of greenhouse gases and
their hazards to the climate. The energy consumption for building
Austria ✔ sector has been focused to analyze and suggest alternatives to provide
Belgium ✔
Bulgaria ✔
sustainable and clean energy. The paper comprehensively presents a
Denmark ✔ review on the existing research and possible integration of DCS with
Estonia ✔ different renewable energy technologies. The conclusions can be sum-
Finland ✔ ✔ marized as follows.
France ✔
Germany ✔
Greece ✔ To meet the growing demand of energy, the continuous use of fossil
Italy ✔ ✔ fuel based energy sources are ultimately causing damage to the
The Netherlands ✔ environment. The greenhouse gas emissions are causing the ozone
Sweden ✔ ✔ layer depletion and an increase in world’s average temperature.
United Kingdom ✔ ✔
There should be a way out of this fossil fuel based energy but with
maintaining the life standards of modern world.
heat as an input, using waste heat can displace fuel or electricity that Nearly 40% of the total energy produced is used by building sector.
would otherwise have to be purchased [185]. Fig. 4, shows the basic The major portion of this energy is used for space cooling, heating,
concept that how single stage process heat recovery system flows. and dehumidification. The building sector is therefore greatly re-
Waste heat recovery entails capturing and reusing the waste heat in sponsible for large amount of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.
industrial processes for heating or for generating mechanical or elec- DCS is a central system for providing cooling facilities in buildings
trical work. Examples use for waste heat include generating electricity, from one central source. It is suitable for domestic, commercial and
preheating combustion air, preheating furnace loads, absorption industrial building networks. The major advantages of DCS are high
cooling, and space heating [186]. This thermal energy which is avail- energy efficiency, increased comfort and safety, reduced operation
able from waste heat recovery resources has great potential to run and maintenance cost, and efficiency by professionals in operation
absorption chillers in district cooling systems. The DCS integrated with and management.
waste heat recovery from different industrial processes is efficiently The DCS operated with energy from renewable resources cause no
used to provide cooling to the same or nearby facilities and improve the harm to the environment. DCS can be integrated with many re-
energy integration and energyefficiency. newable energy technologies. The most feasible renewable energy
technologies reviewed in this paper are biomass energy, solar
thermal energy, geothermal energy, surface water energy, solar PV
3. Economic analysis and profitability of DCS via renewable energy, and energy from waste heat recovery.
energy technologies All the six renewable energy resources considered showed great
technical, economical, and green energy potential for continuous
An extensive research has been done to predict and report the and sustainable energy supply for DCS. An overview for each re-
economic analysis of district cooling system via renewable energy newable energy source and its application in DCS is presented. An
technologies. The literature shows that there has been a technical as overview of the DCS integrated with all renewable energy

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