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Enhancement of a District Heating Substation as Part of a Low-Investment Optimization Strategy for District Heating Systems

Author

Listed:
  • Anna Vannahme

    (Institute of New Energy Systems, University of Applied Sciences Ingolstadt, Esplanade 10, D-85049 Ingolstadt, Germany)

  • Mathias Ehrenwirth

    (Institute of New Energy Systems, University of Applied Sciences Ingolstadt, Esplanade 10, D-85049 Ingolstadt, Germany)

  • Tobias Schrag

    (Institute of New Energy Systems, University of Applied Sciences Ingolstadt, Esplanade 10, D-85049 Ingolstadt, Germany)

Abstract

In an ongoing project, low-investment measures for the optimization of district heating systems are analyzed. The optimization strategies are collected in a catalog, which is the core of a guideline. The application of this guideline is demonstrated using two concrete district heating networks as examples. In this study, the improvement of an analog controlled district heating substation by an electronic controller is investigated. High supply temperatures and heat losses are often a challenge in district heating networks. The district heating substations have a major influence on the network return temperatures. The comparison of the two substation setups with analog and electronic controllers is carried out by laboratory measurement. It can be shown that the return temperatures can be reduced by an average of 20 K in winter and transition, as well as 16 K in summer. The district heating network losses are calculated for one of both specific district heating networks. They are calculated from the ratio of network losses to generated energy. The generated energy is the sum of network losses and consumer demand. The thermal losses of the network can be reduced by 3%. The volume flow in the heating network can be reduced to a quarter. Therefore, the pumping energy requirement drops sharply since these changes cubically affect the volume flow.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Vannahme & Mathias Ehrenwirth & Tobias Schrag, 2021. "Enhancement of a District Heating Substation as Part of a Low-Investment Optimization Strategy for District Heating Systems," Resources, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jresou:v:10:y:2021:i:5:p:53-:d:557759
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gustafsson, Jonas & Delsing, Jerker & van Deventer, Jan, 2010. "Improved district heating substation efficiency with a new control strategy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(6), pages 1996-2004, June.
    2. Averfalk, Helge & Werner, Sven, 2020. "Economic benefits of fourth generation district heating," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    3. Gadd, Henrik & Werner, Sven, 2014. "Achieving low return temperatures from district heating substations," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 59-67.
    4. Sorknæs, Peter & Østergaard, Poul Alberg & Thellufsen, Jakob Zinck & Lund, Henrik & Nielsen, Steffen & Djørup, Søren & Sperling, Karl, 2020. "The benefits of 4th generation district heating in a 100% renewable energy system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 213(C).
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