In remote regions far from the electric grid, the challenge of efficient use of the local energy resources and opportunities is obvious.

If there are no local resources, the aim is to minimize the import of light oil for the diesel generator and the heating of buildings in the most cost effective way.

If some local resources could be viable, it is a challenge how to utilize them the most efficient way.

The arctic settlement Qaanaaq (Greenland) close to the North Pole can show remarkable high energy efficiency, which should be a landmark for any other local and isolated community.

The district heating infrastructure which is the key to this high efficiency is owned by Nukissiorfiit and Ramboll has provided the consultancy services.

Increased efficiency
The total efficiency of the imported light oil for the electricity and the heating is around 85%, as a fully developed district heating network distributes all the waste heat from the diesel motor driven generators.

In fact this surplus energy, which else would be wasted, covers now around 70% of the total heat production. In case there had been individual oil boilers instead of district heating the total efficiency would have been only 55% (40% for the electricity and 80% for small boilers).

It is remarkable that an efficiency of 85% is possible without a thermal storage, which could be installed if necessary.
Moreover if the network is supplemented by a thermal storage it would be ready for efficient integration of all kinds of renewable energy, which could be available, both for electricity production and for heating.

An important precondition for this success is that the heating density is sufficient and that the costs of the district heating pipes are modest as they are placed in ducts above ground together with other infrastructure – an arctic symbiosis.

In a warmer climate this solution is even more feasible. Only the district heating has to be supplemented by district cooling.