Riga Central Market: Pioneering Sustainable Solutions Amidst Climate Challenges 

13. Februar 2025 | News

Riga’s UNESCO-listed Central Market is at the forefront of the MULTICLIMACT project, testing UPONOR’s energy-efficient heating and cooling solutions in response to record-breaking warm winters.   

Riga, Latvia, 13 February 2025 – Riga’s  Central Market, a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its unique architecture and cultural significance, is playing a pivotal role in the MULTICLIMACT project. This initiative aims to enhance the resilience of historical buildings against the challenges posed by climate change.

The market’s five pavilions, originally constructed from repurposed German Zeppelin hangars, are architectural marvels but face significant challenges due to their age and evolving climate conditions. These structures are energy-inefficient, leading to high heating and cooling demands. This is exacerbated by the Northern European climate, which traditionally experiences harsh winters and warm summers. Considering the climatic conditions of Latvia, heating is required in the buildings for approximately 200 days a year, but recent years have seen unprecedented warming. In fact, 2024 was recorded as the warmest year in Latvia’s history, tied with 2020 at an average 8.7°C, which is 1.9°C above normal.  

This shift in climate has delayed winter data collection for the project, as the expected cold conditions have not materialised. However, data from the summer season has already been analysed, providing valuable insights into the market’s energy performance.  

UPONOR’s Solutions will be Tested in Riga

In response to these challenges, the MULTICLIMACT project is piloting an all-in-one solution that provides high-temperature cooling and low-temperature heating using radiant heat and cold. This system is being installed in the Dairy Pavilion by UPONOR, a MULTICLIMACT project partner based in Helsinki, Finland and the technology provider at the Riga demonstration site.  

A key component of the project is PlanHeat, a digital energy planning tool designed to help cities transition to low-carbon heating and cooling systems. This open-source application allows planners to assess, simulate, and optimise urban heating and cooling solutions.  

The tool comprises three modules: 

1. Supply Mapping Module: Identifies potential energy sources, including renewable and waste energy, available at urban and industrial levels. 

2. District Mapping Module: Maps the annual and hourly heating, cooling, and domestic hot water demands across different building types. 

3. District Planning and Simulation Module: Assists in creating and evaluating sustainable heating and cooling scenarios, exploring the development or expansion of district heating and cooling networks, and optimising system designs. 

In Riga, the PlanHeat tool is being used to evaluate different scenarios for the market’s energy system, incorporating UPONOR’s radiant heating and cooling panels. These scenarios include combinations of radiant panels, district heating networks utilising residual heat, solar photovoltaic installations, and combined heat and power systems using biomass. By simulating these configurations, the tool helps determine the most energy-efficient and cost-effective solutions for the market.  

What Riga Demonstration Means for Other Countries?  

The insights gained from the Riga demonstration are invaluable for other countries facing similar challenges with historical buildings in changing climates. The PlanHeat tool’s adaptable framework allows it to be applied in diverse urban contexts, enabling planners worldwide to develop tailored, sustainable energy solutions. 

By addressing the specific needs of heritage structures like the Riga Central Market, the MULTICLIMACT project is paving the way for preserving cultural landmarks while enhancing their resilience to climate change. This approach ensures that such buildings remain functional and sustainable for future generations.