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A Review of Existing Hybrid District Heating Substations and Their Application Potential

Author

Listed:
  • Michał Żurawski

    (AGH University of Krakow, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
    PGE Energia Ciepła S.A., ul. Zlota 59, 00-120 Warszawa, Poland)

  • Łukasz Mika

    (AGH University of Krakow, Department of Thermal and Fluid Flow Machines, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland)

  • Jakub Kuś

    (AGH University of Krakow, Faculty of Energy and Fuels, al. Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
    PGE Energia Ciepła S.A., ul. Zlota 59, 00-120 Warszawa, Poland)

Abstract

Decentralized renewable energy sources will become fundamental to future energy systems. The energy transition toward decentralized energy sources creates opportunities and challenges for district heating companies. One of the proposed solutions for advancing decentralization is implementing hybrid district heating substations (HDHSs) into modern and future district heating networks. This paper reviews HDHS configurations and operational strategies for heating and cooling purposes described in the literature. Similar district heating systems have been compared, and their differences are discussed in this paper. This article explores the applicability of hybrid district heating substations from the perspective of district heating companies. This study demonstrates that the hybrid district heating substations could be successfully implemented into district heating systems under certain conditions. It is necessary to determine the role of the hybrid substations in the district heating system and properly select the auxiliary energy sources. This study highlights the importance of selecting an appropriate control strategy for hybrid district heating substations due to external factors, e.g., specific customer behavior or variability in the electricity market.

Suggested Citation

  • Michał Żurawski & Łukasz Mika & Jakub Kuś, 2025. "A Review of Existing Hybrid District Heating Substations and Their Application Potential," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-18, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:19:p:5093-:d:1757742
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    References listed on IDEAS

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