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District Energy Systems: Challenges and New Tools for Planning and Evaluation

Author

Listed:
  • Steffen Wehkamp

    (OFFIS Institute for Information Technology, Escherweg 2, 26121 Oldenburg, Germany)

  • Lucas Schmeling

    (KEHAG Energiehandel GmbH, Im Technologiepark 4, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
    DLR Institute of Networked Energy Systems, Carl-von-Ossietzky-Str. 15, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany)

  • Lena Vorspel

    (Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM, Wiener Straße 12, 28359 Bremen, Germany)

  • Fabian Roelcke

    (Institute for Database Oriented Design, Jade University of Applied Sciences, Ofener Straße 16/19, 26121 Oldenburg, Germany)

  • Kai-Lukas Windmeier

    (KEHAG Energiehandel GmbH, Im Technologiepark 4, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany)

Abstract

The change from a centralized to a decentralized energy supply creates new challenges in the planning of such energy supply concepts. Specialized planning tools that can cope with the complex requirements and multi-layered boundary conditions of local energy use are therefore needed. Existing methods need to be further developed and optimized to suit the complex stakeholder structures encountered in innovative district projects, as well as for research purposes. This paper presents selected aspects and challenges in the development of an application-oriented planning tool. Using a North German district as a case study, the usability of a Building Information Model as an aggregated data platform is tested in the context of a residential energy district planning process. In addition, the modeling of heating grids using a combination of Geographic Information System and open source thermodynamic tools is presented. Economic valuation methods are examined to determine the extent to which the value of flexibility and access to local flexibility markets can be taken into account. Finally, an approach for evaluating the ecological aspects of the district energy supply is presented, based on the dynamic assessment of imported and exported energy quantities.

Suggested Citation

  • Steffen Wehkamp & Lucas Schmeling & Lena Vorspel & Fabian Roelcke & Kai-Lukas Windmeier, 2020. "District Energy Systems: Challenges and New Tools for Planning and Evaluation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-20, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:11:p:2967-:d:369389
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    3. Jaume Fitó & Julien Ramousse, 2024. "Multi-Stakeholder Decision Support Based on Multicriteria Assessment: Application to Industrial Waste Heat Recovery for a District Heating Network in Grenoble, France," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-25, April.
    4. Gjorgievski, Vladimir Z. & Cundeva, Snezana & Georghiou, George E., 2021. "Social arrangements, technical designs and impacts of energy communities: A review," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 1138-1156.
    5. Schmeling, Lucas & Schönfeldt, Patrik & Klement, Peter & Vorspel, Lena & Hanke, Benedikt & von Maydell, Karsten & Agert, Carsten, 2022. "A generalised optimal design methodology for distributed energy systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 200(C), pages 1223-1239.
    6. Rebeca Ramirez Acosta & Chathura Wanigasekara & Emilie Frost & Tobias Brandt & Sebastian Lehnhoff & Christof Büskens, 2023. "Integration of Intelligent Neighbourhood Grids to the German Distribution Grid: A Perspective," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-16, May.
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