Research

26 pages, 13716 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Economic Evaluation and Simulation for the Hasselt Case Study: Thermochemical District Network Technology vs. Alternative Technologies for Heating

by Muhannad Delwati, Ahmed Ammar and Philipp Geyer

Energies 2019, 12(7), 1260; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12071260 - 02 Apr 2019

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3328

Abstract

Thermochemical-technology has high potential for utilizing surplus heat from industrial processes and renewables. This paper examines the economic potential and thermochemical-technology behavior at a network level. The city of Hasselt (Belgium), was chosen as a case study for technology application due to its [...] Read more.

Thermochemical-technology has high potential for utilizing surplus heat from industrial processes and renewables. This paper examines the economic potential and thermochemical-technology behavior at a network level. The city of Hasselt (Belgium), was chosen as a case study for technology application due to its typical mid-European urban structure. An integrated heating system was proposed which transports energy potential from available surplus-heat sources to the demand side over long distances by a thermochemical-district-heating network, which serves for building heating with heat-pump assistance. A dynamic simulation model of the thermochemical-technology was developed using the experiments and Hasselt data to determine the technology’s energy performance. To examine the technology’s feasibility in the context of a large district energy network, an economic and environmental evaluation of the thermochemical-technology was performed. To compare key economic parameters between our integrated technology and other heating systems a sensitivity analysis to identify favorable market-conditions for wider deployment of the proposed technology was performed. The simulations indicated a 72% reduction of heat-pump heating energy usage as a benefit of the thermochemical system. Network pumping-energy and thermochemical-fluid mass were found via simulation to be 80 kWh and 300 tons, respectively. In comparison to domestic-gas-boilers, the proposed technology shows 95% lower carbon emissions, however at 37% higher annualized cost. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 4th International Conference on Smart Energy Systems and 4th Generation District Heating)

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14 pages, 3782 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design and Analysis of District Heating Systems Utilizing Excess Heat in Japan

by Shin Fujii, Takaaki Furubayashi and Toshihiko Nakata

Energies 2019, 12(7), 1202; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12071202 - 28 Mar 2019

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4044

Abstract

District heating systems (DHSs) which utilize excess heat play an important role in energy infrastructure in many European countries. In contrast to Europe, the DHS is not common and excess heat is not reused effectively in Japan. Almost all the DHSs in Japan [...] Read more.

District heating systems (DHSs) which utilize excess heat play an important role in energy infrastructure in many European countries. In contrast to Europe, the DHS is not common and excess heat is not reused effectively in Japan. Almost all the DHSs in Japan were designed as first-generation district heating (1GDH) systems or 2GDH systems. No 4GDH systems have been introduced in Japan. The present study designs a 4GDH system utilizing excess heat from a wide area of Northern Japan and evaluates its feasibility. First, available heat amounts from two excess heat resources were calculated: waste incineration plants and thermal power plants. Second, heat demand from both residential and commercial sectors was estimated using a 1 km mesh, and a heat load curve was created for each mesh based on load curve data. Third, the DHS was designed with excess heat plants as a supply-side heat resource, and spatial information of the demand side made use of the geographical information system (GIS). Further analysis was conducted on selected DHSs in three cities in order to evaluate those systems’ feasibility based on energy efficiency, CO₂ emissions, and economic aspects. The result shows that 70.5 PJ of heat can be supplied by DHS in Northern Japan, replacing imported fossil fuels such as petroleum and LPG with regional excess heat. The designed DHS could supply heat with equivalent costs compared to European countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 4th International Conference on Smart Energy Systems and 4th Generation District Heating)

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19 pages, 1036 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Integration of Flow Temperatures in Unit Commitment Models of Future District Heating Systems

by Cynthia Boysen, Cord Kaldemeyer, Simon Hilpert and Ilja Tuschy

Energies 2019, 12(6), 1061; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12061061 - 19 Mar 2019

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2589

Abstract

The transformation of heat supply structures towards 4th generation district heating (4GDH) involves lower supply temperatures and a shift in technology. In order to assess the economic viability of the respective systems, adequate unit commitment models are needed. However, maintaining the formal requirements, [...] Read more.

The transformation of heat supply structures towards 4th generation district heating (4GDH) involves lower supply temperatures and a shift in technology. In order to assess the economic viability of the respective systems, adequate unit commitment models are needed. However, maintaining the formal requirements, while reducing the computational efforts of these models, often includes simplifications such as the assumption of constant supply temperatures. This study investigates the effect of introducing varying supply temperatures in mixed-integer linear programming models. Based on a case study of a municipal district heating system, how the temperature integration approach affects unit commitment and technology assessment for different temperature levels and scenarios is analyzed. In particular, three supply temperature levels are investigated with both variable and constant temperatures in two scenarios. Results indicate that lower flow temperature levels in the heating network tend to favor internal combustion engines, combined cycle power plants, and heat pumps; while back pressure steam turbines, peak loads, and electric boilers show declining operating hours. Furthermore, the effect of varying versus constant temperatures at the same temperature level is rather small, at least as long as technical restrictions do not come into play. Finally, it is found that the effect of changing temperature on a technology assessment is comparably small as opposed to adaptions in the regulatory framework. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 4th International Conference on Smart Energy Systems and 4th Generation District Heating)

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20 pages, 3811 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Simplified Methodology for Existing Tertiary Buildings’ Cooling Energy Need Estimation at District Level: A Feasibility Study of a District Cooling System in Marrakech

by Saeid Charani Shandiz, Alice Denarie, Gabriele Cassetti, Marco Calderoni, Antoine Frein and Mario Motta

Energies 2019, 12(5), 944; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12050944 - 12 Mar 2019

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4259

Abstract

In district energy systems planning, the calculation of energy needs is a crucial step in making the investment profitable. Although several computational approaches exist for estimating the thermal energy need of individual buildings, this is challenging at the district level due to the [...] Read more.

In district energy systems planning, the calculation of energy needs is a crucial step in making the investment profitable. Although several computational approaches exist for estimating the thermal energy need of individual buildings, this is challenging at the district level due to the amount of data needed, the diversity of building types, and the uncertainty of connections. The aim of this paper is to present a simplified measurement-based methodology for estimating the cooling energy needs at the district level, which can be employed in the preliminary sizing and design of a district cooling network. The methodology proposed is suitable for tertiary buildings and is based on building electricity bills as historical data to calculate the yearly cooling demand. Then, the developed method is applied to a real case study: the feasibility analysis of a sustainable district cooling network for a hotel district in the city of Marrakech. The designed system foresees a 23-MW_cold district cooling network that is 4 km long, supplying 26 GWh of cooling to the tourist area. The results show that the proposed methodology for cooling demand estimation is coherent with the other existing methods in the literature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 4th International Conference on Smart Energy Systems and 4th Generation District Heating)

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19 pages, 2767 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Is It Possible to Supply Norwegian Apartment Blocks with 4th Generation District Heating?

by Øystein Rønneseth, Nina Holck Sandberg and Igor Sartori

Energies 2019, 12(5), 941; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12050941 - 12 Mar 2019

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3674

Abstract

Direct electricity is widely used for heating purposes in Norway, leading to significant strain on the electricity grid during the heating season. Conversion to 4th generation district heating (4GDH) is an effective method for reducing the need for large investments in the electricity [...] Read more.

Direct electricity is widely used for heating purposes in Norway, leading to significant strain on the electricity grid during the heating season. Conversion to 4th generation district heating (4GDH) is an effective method for reducing the need for large investments in the electricity grid, while simultaneously improving the energy efficiency of district heating systems. This article evaluates the possibility of reducing the supply temperature in existing Norwegian apartment blocks by improving the thermal envelope and reducing the temperature levels for the heating system. The analysis is based on simulations in IDA ICE (IDA Indoor Climate and Energy) focusing on whether the reduced supply temperature guarantees thermal comfort in the building, considering the coldest room with a heating setpoint of 22 °C. Based on a recommended minimum acceptable indoor temperature of 19 °C from the Norwegian building regulations (TEK), it should be possible to lower the radiator supply temperature from 80 to 60 °C for apartment blocks newer than 1971. For older buildings, an “intermediate” renovation is necessary to maintain temperatures above 19 °C, however, a “standard” renovation is recommended to ensure thermal comfort and improve the energy efficiency of the building stock. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 4th International Conference on Smart Energy Systems and 4th Generation District Heating)

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25 pages, 2943 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Agent-Based Modeling of a Thermal Energy Transition in the Built Environment

by Graciela del Carmen Nava Guerrero, Gijsbert Korevaar, Helle Hvid Hansen and Zofia Lukszo

Energies 2019, 12(5), 856; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12050856 - 05 Mar 2019

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3657

Abstract

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050, an energy transition is taking place in the European Union. Achieving these targets requires changes in the heating and cooling sector (H&C). Designing and implementing this energy transition is not trivial, [...] Read more.

To reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050, an energy transition is taking place in the European Union. Achieving these targets requires changes in the heating and cooling sector (H&C). Designing and implementing this energy transition is not trivial, as technology, actors, and institutions interact in complex ways. We provide an illustrative example of the development and use of an agent-based model (ABM) for thermal energy transitions in the built environment, from the perspective of sociotechnical systems (STS) and complex adaptive systems (CAS). In our illustrative example, we studied the transition of a simplified residential neighborhood to heating without natural gas. We used the ABM to explore socioeconomic conditions that could support the neighborhoods’ transition over 20 years while meeting the neighborhoods’ heat demand. Our illustrative example showed that through the use of STS, CAS, and an ABM, we can account for technology, actors, institutions, and their interactions while designing for thermal energy transitions in the built environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 4th International Conference on Smart Energy Systems and 4th Generation District Heating)

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21 pages, 5370 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Modelling Influential Factors of Consumption in Buildings Connected to District Heating Systems

by Danica Maljkovic

Energies 2019, 12(4), 586; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12040586 - 13 Feb 2019

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2412

Abstract

Assessing the influential factors on measured (or allocated) heat consumption in district heating systems is often limited by the available data. Within a project of modelling consumption in district heating systems in Croatia for the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Environment, an access [...] Read more.

Assessing the influential factors on measured (or allocated) heat consumption in district heating systems is often limited by the available data. Within a project of modelling consumption in district heating systems in Croatia for the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Environment, an access to a complete billing database of the largest Croatian district heating company was granted. The company supplies approximately 126,400 final consumers (both households and businesses) over 375 km of distribution network. The billing database has 40 vectors in a few million single inputs. In addition to these data, a questionnaire is distributed to the final consumers in several buildings labelled as “model buildings”, gathering behavioural and demographic data of final consumers (such as occupancy, mode of space usage, heat comfort level, age of occupants, etc.). The two sets of data are then merged, and a correlation analysis is performed. Furthermore, a two-step regression analysis is performed based on variables from billing database in the first step, with added behavioural and demographic variables obtained from the questionnaires in the second step. The models from two steps are compared, tested and interpreted. Results of the most influential factors on heat consumption in district heating systems are given and the influence of the behavioural/demographic variables on the prediction accuracy of heating consumption is interpreted. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 4th International Conference on Smart Energy Systems and 4th Generation District Heating)

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21 pages, 4664 KiB

Open AccessArticle

District Power-To-Heat/Cool Complemented by Sewage Heat Recovery

by Marcello Aprile, Rossano Scoccia, Alice Dénarié, Pál Kiss, Marcell Dombrovszky, Damian Gwerder, Philipp Schuetz, Peru Elguezabal and Beñat Arregi

Energies 2019, 12(3), 364; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12030364 - 24 Jan 2019

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4623

Abstract

District heating and cooling (DHC), when combined with waste or renewable energy sources, is an environmentally sound alternative to individual heating and cooling systems in buildings. In this work, the theoretical energy and economic performances of a DHC network complemented by compression heat [...] Read more.

District heating and cooling (DHC), when combined with waste or renewable energy sources, is an environmentally sound alternative to individual heating and cooling systems in buildings. In this work, the theoretical energy and economic performances of a DHC network complemented by compression heat pump and sewage heat exchanger are assessed through dynamic, year-round energy simulations. The proposed system comprises also a water storage and a PV plant. The study stems from the operational experience on a DHC network in Budapest, in which a new sewage heat recovery system is in place and provided the experimental base for assessing main operational parameters of the sewage heat exchanger, like effectiveness, parasitic energy consumption and impact of cleaning. The energy and economic potential is explored for a commercial district in Italy. It is found that the overall seasonal COP and EER are 3.10 and 3.64, while the seasonal COP and EER of the heat pump alone achieve 3.74 and 4.03, respectively. The economic feasibility is investigated by means of the levelized cost of heating and cooling (LCOHC). With an overall LCOHC between 79.1 and 89.9 €/MWh, the proposed system can be an attractive solution with respect to individual heat pumps. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 4th International Conference on Smart Energy Systems and 4th Generation District Heating)

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9 pages, 2241 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimal Scheduling of Combined Heat and Power Generation Units Using the Thermal Inertia of the Connected District Heating Grid as Energy Storage

by Lennart Merkert, Ashvar Abdoul Haime and Sören Hohmann

Energies 2019, 12(2), 266; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12020266 - 16 Jan 2019

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 3576

Abstract

A better integration across sectors is an essential element of 4th generation district heating and smart energy systems allowing to react to volatile renewable energy generation. This sector coupling enables to use more cost-efficient storage as storage prices differ for different forms of [...] Read more.

A better integration across sectors is an essential element of 4th generation district heating and smart energy systems allowing to react to volatile renewable energy generation. This sector coupling enables to use more cost-efficient storage as storage prices differ for different forms of energy. Thermal energy for example can be stored in comparably cheap storage tanks. Besides such dedicated storage, the thermal inertia of a heating grid can be used as thermal storage as well. In this paper, a classic unit commitment optimization for scheduling of combined heat and power units not considering grid dynamics is extended to cover thermal dynamics of heating grids. First an outer approximation of the grid storage capabilities is developed. Second, a very efficient formulation for the storage dynamics of a heating grid is introduced and its capabilities are shown in a motivating case study. In this study additional savings of several thousand Euros per day are achieved using the thermal inertia of a heating grid as storage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 4th International Conference on Smart Energy Systems and 4th Generation District Heating)

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