The Ministry of Energy proposes changes to chapters 7 and 8 of the Energy Act to encourage better use of waste heat. The proposal lowers threshold values for which facilities must undergo cost-benefit analysis, expands the requirement to cover upgrades of existing facilities, and establishes that facilities cannot be built or upgraded unless waste heat is utilized when the analysis shows positive returns. It also requires automatic control systems for buildings with high heating or cooling demand.
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These are the proposals in the document, not decisions. See the votes for the outcome.
The heading of Section 7-2 shall read: (Obligation to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of opportunities to utilize waste heat)
Sections 7-2(1) and (2) shall read: An operator shall conduct a cost-benefit analysis of waste heat utilization opportunities when planning and making major upgrades to the following facilities: a. thermal power plants b. industrial plants c. district heating and district cooling networks d. energy production facilities planned for connection to an existing district heating or cooling network e. data centres f. other facilities with high energy demand. The Ministry may issue regulations on which operators and facilities fall under this requirement, including threshold values.
Section 7-3(1), items c through f, shall read: c. operating an industrial plant so that waste heat meets economically justified demand, including the facility's own heating needs d. utilizing waste heat from nearby facilities and data centres when district heating or cooling networks are planned or energy production facilities in existing networks are planned or substantially upgraded e. operating data centres and facilities as described in Section 7-2(1)(e) and (f) so that waste heat meets economically justified demand, including their own heating needs f. utilizing waste heat from nearby facilities and data centres when industrial plants and other facilities with heating needs are planned or substantially upgraded
Section 7-4(2) shall read: Facilities listed in Section 7-2(1) cannot be built or substantially upgraded unless waste heat is utilized, provided the cost-benefit analysis demonstrates that benefits exceed costs.
Section 7-4 shall have a new subsection (3): The Ministry may grant exemptions from the requirement in subsection (2) on application.
The heading of Section 8-4 shall read: (Buildings with heating and cooling systems)
Section 8-4 shall have a new subsection (3): The owner of a building with high heating or cooling demand shall install an automatic control system for heating and cooling equipment where technically and economically feasible. The Ministry may issue regulations on which buildings are covered and what the requirement entails.