Optimisation of a Theoretical 4th Generation District Heating Network located at the town of Loughborough, UK
Abstract
A model was established that allows the simulation and analysis of the performance of a district heating (DH) system supplied with heat generated from renewable sources (RHS) and a selection of different types of thermal energy storage (TES) systems. The model uses hourly weather data, building specifications and occupancies to calculate hourly domestic heat demands for both space and domestic hot water heating and the heat production of a selection of zero-carbon heat production approaches. The model calculates hourly heat losses from dwellings, TES and pipes, and takes into consideration recent research related to latent and thermochemical heat storage systems. The ultimate goal of developing the model was the determination of a system specification and operating conditions that i) minimises cost and ii) maximises the overall energy efficiency of the network while ensuring that domestic heat demands are met on an hourly basis for a specified time-period in an existing or planned town or urban area.