Abstract Summary
The city of Amsterdam aims to transition towards renewable heating by the year 2040 and become carbon-neutral by the year 2050. Achieving sustainable heating systems requires an optimal reduction of carbon emissions and appropriate water use. In this presentation we will therefore discuss two studies in which we analysed different renewable heating pathways towards 2050 for the city of Amsterdam in relation with climate mitigation targets and water stress. With the first study, we show that the cumulative carbon emissions between 2030 and 2050 can be reduced tenfold if ambitious early measures for the decarbonisation of electricity generation and the insulation of buildings are taken. The second study shows that the water withdrawal for heating can increase significantly due to increased use of underground thermal energy storage. The second study additionally shows that the indirect water use for heating, e.g. to produce electricity or biomass, can become larger than the direct water use for heating. Based on the results of these two studies, we argue that multi-scale perspectives, assessing multiple indicators, are needed to support a sustainable heat transition. This presentation will be relevant to anyone interested in the transition towards renewable heating systems in the city of Amsterdam and beyond. The presenters would prefer an onsite setting.
