An Optimal-Control Scheme for Coordinated Surplus-Heat Exchange in Industry Clusters

Brage Rugstad Knudsen, Hanne Kauko and Trond Andresen
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Brage Rugstad Knudsen: SINTEF Energy Research, Kolbjørn Hejes vei 1B, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
Hanne Kauko: SINTEF Energy Research, Kolbjørn Hejes vei 1B, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
Trond Andresen: SINTEF Energy Research, Kolbjørn Hejes vei 1B, 7491 Trondheim, Norway

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 10, 1-22

Abstract: Industrial plants organized in clusters may improve their economics and energy efficiency by exchanging and utilizing surplus heat. However, integrating inherently dynamic processes and highly time-varying surplus-heat supplies and demands is challenging. To this end, a structured optimization and control framework may significantly improve inter-plant surplus-heat valorization. We present a Modelica-based systems model and optimal-control scheme for surplus-heat exchange in industrial clusters. An industry-cluster operator is assumed to coordinate and control the surplus-heat exchange infrastructure and responsible for handling the surplus heat and satisfy the sink plants’ heat demands. As a case study, we use an industry cluster consisting of two plants with surplus heat available and two plants with heat demand. The total surplus heat and heat demand are equal, but the availability and demand are highly asynchronous. By optimally utilizing demand predictions and a thermal energy storage (TES) unit, the operator is able to supply more than 98% of the deficit heat as surplus heat from the plants in the industry cluster, while only 77% in a corresponding case without TES. We argue that the proposed framework and case study illustrates a direction for increasing inter-plant surplus-heat utilization in industry clusters with reduced use of peak heating, often associated with high costs or emissions.

Keywords: industry clusters; surplus-heat exchange; optimal control; thermal energy storage; energy efficiency; control of energy demand (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: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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