Resilience Metrics for District Heating Systems: A Comprehensive Framework
The project`s main output is the framework that aims to clarify which key performance indicators of the DH system should be used when assessing the resilience to climate-change-related, technological and financial disruptive events. The framework will be implemented in a web platform serving as an optimization tool for a comprehensive evaluation of resilience performances within the planning, design and operational phases of DH systems. The evaluation for DH system resilience will focus on energy-efficient and cost-effective heat generation under different climatic, economic and social conditions. The identification of different resilience criteria and the system resilience to maintain high heat generation performance in case of scenarios embedding different technological and potentially disruptive events will be analysed. Furthermore, innovative DH solutions will be evaluated within the research, such as the power-to-heat concept, network temperature lowering, and continuous heat and cold generation for particular case studies in order to identify benefits and barriers in terms of the system’s ability to maintain high performance under various conditions. The results will be a key output that can be used in policy planning, stimulating future research in the specific industrial sector at the local and international levels.
PROJECT FUNDED BY:
Latvia’s state budget Fundamental and Applied Research Project
Project No. lzp-2023/1-0039
PROJECT DURATION:
January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2026
PROJECT BUDGET:
300 000,00 EUR
SCIENTIFIC LEADER OF THE PROJECT:
Ieva Pakere
PUBLISHED:
08.04.2024.
New publication on district heating system energy security
On October 9, 2025, the international scientific journal Energy Strategy Reviews published the article “Analysis of district heating system energy security index. A case study from Latvia“, which analyzes the resilience and energy security of the Latvian district heating system.
The authors of the article — Marita Agate Zirne, Ieva Pakere and Vivita Priedniece — offer an innovative approach to developing an energy security index based on the experience of Latvia. The study was conducted within the framework of the DH INERTIA project, which focuses on assessing the resilience of district heating systems to climate, technological and economic challenges.
The publication makes a significant contribution to the field of environmental engineering and energy, offering a practically applicable methodology for both researchers and policymakers.
Master’s thesis defense on the efficiency of district heating systems
On June 11, 2025, RTU student Anna Eisija Bernsone successfully defended her master’s thesis “The impact of heat load changes and consumption management on the performance indicators of a district heating system“.
The work was written under the supervision of Associate Professor Edgars Vīgants and researcher Oskars Švedovs, and it analyzes the role of consumption management in improving the efficiency of district heating systems. The results of the study provide a practical contribution to the implementation of the goals of the DH INERTIA project, especially with regard to assessing the resilience and energy efficiency of systems.
Congratulations to Anna on a significant academic achievement and contribution to the development of environmental engineering!
Participation in the International Conference on Environmental and Climate Technologies
On May 14–16, 2025, lead researcher Vivita Priedniece participated in the 18th International Scientific Conference “Environmental and Climate Technologies”, which took place in Riga, Latvia.
The conference presented the study Energy Security index for district heating resilience assessment , which analyzes the resilience of district heating systems to various disturbances using the energy security index approach. The study is part of the DH INERTIA project, which aims to develop an assessment framework for the sustainable development of heating systems.
Participation in the conference promotes international cooperation and scientific discussion on current environmental engineering challenges.
Scientific publication on the resilience of district heating systems under energy price shocks
In May 2025, the prestigious scientific journal Energy published the article District Heating Resilience under High Energy Price Shocks, which analyzes the ability of district heating systems to adapt to rapidly changing energy prices.
The authors of the article — Ieva Pakere, Lauma Balode, Guntars Krīgers and Dagnija Blumberga — offer an in-depth study of economic risks and resilience mechanisms in the heating sector. The study was conducted within the framework of the DH INERTIA project, which aims to develop an assessment framework for the sustainable and secure development of heating systems.
The publication makes a significant contribution to the field of energy policy and environmental engineering, offering practical solutions for strengthening energy security.
New publication on the integration of low-temperature waste heat in district heating
On December 21, 2024, a scientific article Integrating Low-temperature Waste Heat in District Heating Systems. Legal Framework and Pricing , was published in the journal Environmental and Climate Technologies.
The authors of the article — Marita Agate Zirne and Ieva Pakere — analyze the possibilities of integrating low-temperature waste heat into district heating systems, paying special attention to regulatory frameworks and pricing mechanisms. The study was conducted within the framework of the DH INERTIA project, which aims to promote the resilience and sustainable development of district heating systems.
The publication makes a significant contribution to the field of environmental engineering and energy policy, offering practical solutions for improving energy efficiency.
New publication on a unified approach to assessing the resilience of district heating systems
On November 4, 2024, a scientific article Towards a Unified Framework for District Heating Resilience was published in the journal Environmental and Climate Technologies, which offers a conceptual approach to assessing the resilience of district heating systems.
The authors of the article — Vivita Priedniece, Ieva Pakere, Guntars Krīgers and Dagnija Blumberga — have developed a methodological framework that allows for a systematic analysis of the ability of heating systems to adapt to various challenges, including climate change, energy price fluctuations and technological changes. The study was carried out within the framework of the DH INERTIA project, which aims to promote sustainable and safe development of heating in Latvia and internationally.
The publication makes a significant contribution to the field of environmental engineering and energy, offering a basis for further research and policy-making.
Participation in the International Conference on Smart Energy Systems
On September 10–11, 2024, Associate Professor and Senior Researcher Ieva Pakere participated in the 10th International Conference on Smart Energy Systems, which took place in Aalborg, Denmark. The conference was dedicated to 4th generation district heating, electrification, electric fuels and energy efficiency.
As part of the conference, Ieva Pakere presented the study District heating resilience under high energy price shocks , which analyzes the resilience of district heating systems under conditions of rapid energy price fluctuations. The study is part of the DH INERTIA project, which aims to develop an assessment framework for the sustainable and safe development of heating systems.
Participation in the conference promotes international scientific cooperation and knowledge exchange on current challenges in the field of energy and environmental engineering.
Bachelor’s thesis defense on the resilience of heating systems
On June 5, 2024, RTU student Sary Braish successfully defended his bachelor’s thesis on the topic “Resilience of district heating systems to extreme events“.
The work was written under the supervision of Associate Professor Ieva Pakere and is dedicated to a topicality – the ability of district heating systems to adapt to extreme conditions, such as climate change, energy price fluctuations or technological disruptions. The research results provide a practical contribution to the implementation of the goals of the DH INERTIA project, promoting the assessment of system resilience and sustainable development.
Congratulations to Sary on a significant academic achievement and contribution to the field of environmental engineering!
Master’s thesis defense on climate neutrality in heating
On May 31, 2024, RTU student Emīls Zariņš successfully defended his master’s thesis on the topic “Transition of district heating to climate neutrality“.
The work was written under the supervision of Professor Gats Bažbauers and researcher Madara Rieksta, and it analyzes solutions that promote the adaptation of district heating systems to climate neutrality goals. The results of the study provide a significant contribution in the context of the DH INERTIA project, especially with regard to sustainable energy planning and strengthening the resilience of systems.
Congratulations to Emīls on a successful defense of his thesis and contribution to the development of environmental engineering!
Participation in the international conference on environmental and climate technologies
On May 15–17, 2024, the 17th international scientific conference “Environmental and Climate Technologies” took place in Riga, where RTU researchers participated with their research within the framework of the DH INERTIA project.
Associate Professor and Senior Researcher Ieva Pakere presented the study Towards unified framework for district heating resilience , which offers a conceptual approach to assessing the resilience of district heating systems under various challenging conditions.
In turn, researcher Marita Agate Zirne presented the study Integrating Low-temperature Waste Heat in District Heating Systems. Legal Framework and Pricing , which analyzes the integration of low-temperature waste heat into heat supply, paying attention to regulatory frameworks and pricing aspects.
Both studies provide a significant contribution to the implementation of the goals of the DH INERTIA project, promoting the development of sustainable and resilient heat supply systems in Latvia and internationally.
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
PARTICIPATION IN SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCES
| Year | Conference | Date | Place | Researcher | Research title |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 18th International Scientific Conference of Environmental and Climate Technologies | May 14-16 | Riga, Latvia | Vivita Priedniece | Energy Security index for district heating resilience assessment |
| 2024 | 10th International Conference on Smart Energy Systems. 4th Generation District Heating, Electrification, Electrofuels and Energy Efficiency | September 10-11 | Aaalborg, Denmark | Ieva Pakere | District heating resilience under high energy price shocks |
| 2024 | 17th International Scientific Conference of Environmental and Climate Technologies | May 15-17 | Riga, Latvia | Ieva Pakere | Towards unified framework for district heating resilience |
| 2024 | 17th International Scientific Conference of Environmental and Climate Technologies | May 15-17 | Riga, Latvia | Marita Agate Zirne | Integrating Low-temperature Waste Heat in District Heating Systems. Legal Framework and Pricing |
