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We were delighted to facilitate a study visit recently for our Decarb City Pipes partners from Bilbao City Council and Tecnalia, so that they could learn more about Dublin's plans to transition to low-carbon heat through district heating. The study visit included tours of the Dublin Waste to Energy facility and the Tallaght District Heating Scheme, and aimed to showcase the huge potential to decarbonise the heating sector within our capital.

The tour began on the first day at the Dublin Waste to Energy facility, located in Poolbeg in Dublin's Docklands. The tour was very beneficial to the group, as it gave the opportunity to witness the operation of the facility first-hand. The waste to energy facility will act as the main heat source for the planned district heating network in the Docklands area. When connected, this network will supply sustainable heat to thousands of properties in the Poolbeg and Ringsend area using waste heat from the site.

The group also visited the Tallaght District Heating Scheme, which has become a shining example of sustainable urban heating in Dublin. This innovative system, operated by South Dublin County Council and supported by Codema, provides efficient and low-carbon heating to a number of buildings in the Tallaght area, with further expansion planned in subsequent phases.

The Tallaght District Heating Scheme delivers a high level of innovation, as waste heat from the nearby Amazon data centre supplies the heat to the network.  During normal operation, heat demand is 100% covered from the data centre waste heat. The Tallaght scheme operates under Heat Works, which has been set up by South Dublin County Council as Ireland’s first not-for-profit energy utility. 

During the visit, the Heat Works District Heating Development Manager Admir Shala shared insights into the operation, maintenance and benefits of the district heating system, emphasising the positive impact it will bring to both the environment and the local community.

About Decarb City Pipes

The Decarb City Pipes project aims to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices among European cities striving to reduce the carbon footprint of their heating and cooling systems. The tour of Dublin's Waste to Energy Facility and Tallaght District Heating Scheme was a valuable opportunity for our Spanish partners to gain practical insights and inspiration for their own decarbonisation efforts.

For more information, visit www.decarbcitypipes.eu.