Optimisation of district heating Smart Grid systems at low temperatures
The objective is to develop a basis for performance optimization of smart grid district heating systems
where renewable energy plays a role and detailed data of consumption patterns and energy consumption
is present. The basis is known simulation software combined with data filtering; uncertainty analyses and
a test site with 78 fast smart meters.
District heating covers more than 60 % of the heat consumption of Danish housings, and the Danish
export of installation components related to district heating is increasing. The political target is to increase
the use of renewable energy in Denmark.
To enable an efficient use of renewable energy sources in a district heating system it is essential to have a
detailed knowledge of the different operating parameters and the dynamics in the system including
knowledge of the consumption pattern. At present, a large number energy consumption meters, ”Smart
Meters”, enabling remote reading are installed across the country. These meters are able to provide
extensive data with a high degree of resolution in time. This offers a unique possibility to gain insight into
the dynamics in the district heating network and the consumer behaviour and to use this information for
optimising the performance of the network. This will result in considerable energy savings. However, a
challenge in this respect is to analyse and process this amount of data to enable it to be used by the
simulation software that is traditionally used for performance optimisation in district heating systems.
AffaldVarme Aarhus has established two test areas where 78 remote read Smart Meters are installed.
These meters can read out data in minute intervals which is an exceptional high sampling rate. The large
amount of data generated by these unique meters provides a special opportunity to analyse the
performance of the network and the consumption patterns and to test performance optimising modelling
strategies with high time resolution.
The objective of the project is therefore – by using these testing possibilities – to develop a method that
incorporates the large data set in a generic modeling strategy to be used together with existing hydraulic
modeling tools. A generic model of the dynamical behaviour of the distribution network that includes
consumption patterns is made. By means of the developed modelling strategy the further objective is to
analyse changes in the operating conditions and the potential energy savings using different optimisation
measures.
Therefore, the project comprises the following activities:
• Modelling strategies
• Lowering of the mean supply temperature to the lowest possible level for the test area
• Testing of special adapted district heating units installed at a number of consumers
• Testing of automatic shunt valves
The outcome of the project is optimised modelling strategies for Smart Grid systems and detailed
assessments of the potential performance optimisation using different optimisation strategies. Through this
work the involved companies will get a unique knowledge to be used in the further development of
components for use in future Smart Grid systems.
Key figures
Category
Dokumenter
Participants
Partner | Subsidy | Auto financing |
---|---|---|
Teknologisk Institut | 0,69 mio. DKK | 1,04 mio. DKK |
Affald Varme Århus | 0,73 mio. DKK | 1,10 mio. DKK |
HALICON ApS | 0,45 mio. DKK | 0,30 mio. DKK |
DANFOSS REDAN A/S | 0,14 mio. DKK | 0,20 mio. DKK |
LANDIS+GYR A/S | 0,14 mio. DKK | 0,20 mio. DKK |
SILKEBORG VARME A/S | 0,09 mio. DKK | 0,09 mio. DKK |