Low and Ultra-Low Temperature District Heating Equipped by Heat Pumps—An Analysis of the Best Operative Conditions for a Swiss Case Study

Riccardo Toffanin, Paola Caputo, Marco Belliardi and Vinicio Curti
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Riccardo Toffanin: Department of Innovative Technologies, SUPSI (University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland), 6962 Lugano, Switzerland
Paola Caputo: Department of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering (ABC), Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
Marco Belliardi: Department of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering (ABC), Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy
Vinicio Curti: Department of Innovative Technologies, SUPSI (University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland), 6962 Lugano, Switzerland

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 9, 1-19

Abstract: The manuscript analyses the management of low and ultra-low-temperature district heating systems (DHS) coupled with centralised and decentralised heat pumps. Operative conditions are defined in order to satisfy the heating needs without overloading the electric grid. The results are achieved by dynamic simulations, based on a real DHS located in southern Switzerland. At the building level, the heating needs are estimated considering real data and simultaneous energy simulations. Two DHS configurations, alternatives to the existing one, are simulated and suitable parameters for the management of the DHS are selected. The global performance of the two DHS is evaluated by KPIs also including the flexibility and the impact on the electric peak due to heat pumps. The achieved results are discussed providing suggestions for the stakeholders involved in DHS management for an optimal matching of the electric grid and thermal networks towards a reduction of the peak power. The rule-based control strategies defined allow the expected electric peak shaving and load levelling, conversely, the yearly energy consumptions are lightly increased and have to be further investigated. The outcomes demonstrate a global better performance of the ultra-low temperature DHS in terms of response to the applied control strategies and of energy savings.

Keywords: low-temperature district heating; ultra-low-temperature district heating; electric load; management strategies; heat pumps (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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