Barriers to flexibility in the district energy-electricity system interface – A taxonomy

Sector-coupling, specifically through flexibility in the interface between district energy and electricity systems, has proven benefits. Despite this, flexible integration is not universally applied in district energy. By reviewing one hundred and nine pieces of literature, this study identifies forty barriers and related solutions to flexibility in the interface between district energy and the electricity system. Furthermore, a taxonomy is proposed for these barriers. In the taxonomy, barriers are characterised according to Technology type, Project life cycle and Level of origin. Furthermore, barriers are ordered into one of nine categories, Operational signalling, Investment, Permitting, Ownership, District energy technology conditions, Grid access, Physical environment, Bounded rationality and Acceptance. While the whole array of barriers may be significant in individual cases, the primary barrier is Lack of signal-providing scheme, as this hinders signals of energy system needs to reach flexible district energy systems.