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Low-temperature operation of heating systems to enable 4th generation district heating: A review

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  • Østergaard, Dorte Skaarup
  • Smith, Kevin Michael
  • Tunzi, Michele
  • Svendsen, Svend

Abstract

District heating networks increasingly rely on heat pumps, condensing biomass boilers, and excess heat in the transition to sustainable energy systems. Accordingly, district heating operators seek to reduce their networks’ supply and return temperatures to maximise production efficiencies, minimise heat losses from distribution pipes and allow greater utilisation of renewable heat sources and excess heat. Experts have predicted that investing in solutions that reduce heating temperatures in buildings will yield a return on investment of 300% for district heating operators. Therefore, expecting incentives, building operators should identify methods to reduce supply and return temperatures to enable a rapid, widespread transition to low-temperature district heating. Ample research has investigated and documented the feasibility of low-temperature heating in buildings, and this paper presents the first comprehensive review. It synthesises available literature and adds new perspectives to help guide future implementation, research and development of low-temperature heating. The energy and temperature demands of various heating systems provides a background, leading to a review of typical malfunctions and their impacts. The article subsequently reviews the obtainable supply and return temperatures before and after renovating the building envelope and heating systems. It further identifies and summarises vital measures for decreasing heating system temperatures. Ultimately, the authors recommend minimising heating system temperatures using automatic balancing of space heating and ventilation systems, novel solutions for safe domestic hot water supply, and digitally-enabled performance monitoring and optimal control.

Suggested Citation

  • Østergaard, Dorte Skaarup & Smith, Kevin Michael & Tunzi, Michele & Svendsen, Svend, 2022. "Low-temperature operation of heating systems to enable 4th generation district heating: A review," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 248(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:248:y:2022:i:c:s0360544222004327
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2022.123529
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    5. Jing, Mengke & Zhang, Shujie & Fu, Lisong & Cao, Guoquan & Wang, Rui, 2023. "Reducing heat losses from aging district heating pipes by using cured-in-place pipe liners," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 273(C).
    6. Neumayer, Martin & Stecher, Dominik & Grimm, Sebastian & Maier, Andreas & Bücker, Dominikus & Schmidt, Jochen, 2023. "Fault and anomaly detection in district heating substations: A survey on methodology and data sets," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 276(C).
    7. Pothof, I. & Vreeken, D. & Meerkerk, M. van, 2023. "Data-driven method for optimized supply temperatures in residential buildings," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).
    8. Sabina Kordana-Obuch & Mariusz Starzec & Michał Wojtoń & Daniel Słyś, 2023. "Greywater as a Future Sustainable Energy and Water Source: Bibliometric Mapping of Current Knowledge and Strategies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-34, January.
    9. Liu, Zhikai & Zhang, Huan & Wang, Yaran & Fan, Xianwang & You, Shijun & Jiang, Yan & Gao, Xinlei, 2023. "Optimization of hydraulic distribution using loop adjustment method in meshed district heating system with multiple heat sources," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).

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