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Analysis of Different Strategies for Lowering the Operation Temperature in Existing District Heating Networks

Author

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  • Francesco Neirotti

    (Department of Energy, Politecnico di Torino, c.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy)

  • Michel Noussan

    (Department of Energy, Politecnico di Torino, c.so Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy
    Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei, c.so Magenta 63, 20123 Milano, Italy)

  • Stefano Riverso

    (United Technologies Research Center, Penrose Wharf Business Centre, 4th floor, T23 XN53 Cork City, Ireland)

  • Giorgio Manganini

    (United Technologies Research Center, Penrose Wharf Business Centre, 4th floor, T23 XN53 Cork City, Ireland)

Abstract

District heating systems have an important role in increasing the efficiency of the heating and cooling sector, especially when coupled to combined heat and power plants. However, in the transition towards decarbonization, current systems show some challenges for the integration of Renewable Energy Sources and Waste Heat. In particular, a crucial aspect is represented by the operating temperatures of the network. This paper analyzes two different approaches for the decrease of operation temperatures of existing networks, which are often supplying old buildings with a low degree of insulation. A simulation model was applied to some case studies to evaluate how a low-temperature operation of an existing district heating system performs compared to the standard operation, by considering two different approaches: (1) a different control strategy involving nighttime operation to avoid the morning peak demand; and (2) the partial insulation of the buildings to decrease operation temperatures without the need of modifying the heating system of the users. Different temperatures were considered to evaluate a threshold based on the characteristics of the buildings supplied by the network. The results highlight an interesting potential for optimization of existing systems by tuning the control strategies and performing some energy efficiency operation. The network temperature can be decreased with a continuous operation of the system, or with energy efficiency intervention in buildings, and distributed heat pumps used as integration could provide significant advantages. Each solution has its own limitations and critical parameters, which are discussed in detail.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesco Neirotti & Michel Noussan & Stefano Riverso & Giorgio Manganini, 2019. "Analysis of Different Strategies for Lowering the Operation Temperature in Existing District Heating Networks," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-17, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:2:p:321-:d:199375
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Dorota Anna Krawczyk & Tomasz Janusz Teleszewski, 2019. "Optimization of Geometric Parameters of Thermal Insulation of Pre-Insulated Double Pipes," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-11, March.
    3. Benedetta Grassi & Edoardo Alessio Piana & Gian Paolo Beretta & Mariagrazia Pilotelli, 2020. "Dynamic Approach to Evaluate the Effect of Reducing District Heating Temperature on Indoor Thermal Comfort," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-25, December.
    4. Wendel, Frank & Blesl, Markus & Brodecki, Lukasz & Hufendiek, Kai, 2022. "Expansion or decommission? – Transformation of existing district heating networks by reducing temperature levels in a cost-optimum network design," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 310(C).
    5. Jan Stock & André Xhonneux & Dirk Müller, 2022. "Framework for the Automated Identification of Possible District Heating Separations to Utilise Present Heat Sources Based on Existing Network Topology," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-31, November.
    6. Rakesh Sinha & Birgitte Bak-Jensen & Jayakrishnan Radhakrishna Pillai, 2019. "Autonomous Controller for Flexible Operation of Heat Pumps in Low-Voltage Distribution Network," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-19, April.
    7. Golmohamadi, Hessam & Larsen, Kim Guldstrand & Jensen, Peter Gjøl & Hasrat, Imran Riaz, 2022. "Integration of flexibility potentials of district heating systems into electricity markets: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    8. Miguel Gonzalez-Salazar & Thomas Langrock & Christoph Koch & Jana Spieß & Alexander Noack & Markus Witt & Michael Ritzau & Armin Michels, 2020. "Evaluation of Energy Transition Pathways to Phase out Coal for District Heating in Berlin," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-27, December.
    9. Tomasz Janusz Teleszewski & Dorota Anna Krawczyk & Antonio Rodero, 2019. "Reduction of Heat Losses Using Quadruple Heating Pre-Insulated Networks: A Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-12, December.
    10. Dorota Anna Krawczyk & Tomasz Janusz Teleszewski, 2019. "Reduction of Heat Losses in a Pre-Insulated Network Located in Central Poland by Lowering the Operating Temperature of the Water and the Use of Egg-shaped Thermal Insulation: A Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-12, June.
    11. Golmohamadi, Hessam, 2021. "Stochastic energy optimization of residential heat pumps in uncertain electricity markets," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 303(C).
    12. Hering, Dominik & Cansev, Mehmet Ege & Tamassia, Eugenio & Xhonneux, André & Müller, Dirk, 2021. "Temperature control of a low-temperature district heating network with Model Predictive Control and Mixed-Integer Quadratically Constrained Programming," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 224(C).
    13. Østergaard, Dorte Skaarup & Tunzi, Michele & Svendsen, Svend, 2021. "What does a well-functioning heating system look like? Investigation of ten Danish buildings that utilize district heating efficiently," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    14. Erica Corradi & Mosè Rossi & Alice Mugnini & Anam Nadeem & Gabriele Comodi & Alessia Arteconi & Danilo Salvi, 2021. "Energy, Environmental, and Economic Analyses of a District Heating (DH) Network from Both Thermal Plant and End-Users’ Prospective: An Italian Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-25, November.
    15. Benakopoulos, Theofanis & Vergo, William & Tunzi, Michele & Salenbien, Robbe & Kolarik, Jakub & Svendsen, Svend, 2022. "Energy and cost savings with continuous low temperature heating versus intermittent heating of an office building with district heating," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 252(C).

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