Empowered by: KU Leuven, VITO, imec & UHasselt

Control of Thermal Networks in Order to Apply FlexibilityGeoWatt – Activity 1 - Innovation for 4th Generation Thermal Networks: from Component to System Level

DescriptionDistrict heating systems can offer flexibility both in the network itself and in the buildings connected to it. This allows load shifting in order to reduce peak heat loads and integrate more renewable energy sources. Within this sub-activity, models have been developed to study and control this flexibility.

Thermal Network Control Strategies to Unlock FlexibilityMany advanced control strategies to unlock the flexibility in 4DH networks exist. These can split up in three groups: central, distributed and hybrid control. The last type combines aspects from both central and distributed control and seems promising.

A control framework was developed that uses this hybrid principle of control.

Research to Enhance Controllers of 4th Generation District Heating to Allow a Higher RES Share There are still improvements to be made in 4DH networks, for example improving the bypass controller for domestic hot water can improve system efficiency by 10%. Furthermore, the flexibility of the buildings can be activated in order to allow a higher renewable energy uptake in the DH network.

A clustering methodology was developed to allow for a high scale aggregation of a diverse building stock, which can be used for improved forecasting and scheduling of the flexibility of the diverse set of buildings in a 4DH. Finally, flexibility indicators were developed to allow for a comparison and practical implementation of using the flexibility.