scholarly journals A Dynamic Optimization Tool to Size and Operate Solar Thermal District Heating Networks Production Plants

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (23) ◽  
pp. 8003
Author(s):  
Régis Delubac ◽  
Sylvain Serra ◽  
Sabine Sochard ◽  
Jean-Michel Reneaume
Keyword(s):  
Optimization Problem ◽  
Total Duration ◽  
District Heating ◽  
Nonlinear Problems ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Computational Time ◽  
Production Plant ◽  
Solar Thermal Energy ◽  
Optimum Configuration ◽  
Heating Networks

The aim of the ISORC/OPTIMISER project is to increase and improve the use of solar thermal energy in district heating networks. One of the main tasks of the project is to develop an optimization tool for the sizing and operation of a solar district heating network. This is the first optimization tool using an open-source interface (Julia, JuMP) and solver (Ipopt) to solve nonlinear problems. This paper presents the multi-period optimization problem which is implemented to consider the dynamic variations in a year, represented by four typical days, with an hourly resolution. The optimum is calculated for a total duration of 20 years. First, this paper presents the modeling of the different components of a solar district heating network production plant: district network demand, storage and three sources, i.e., a fossil (gas) and two renewable (solar and biomass) sources. In order to avoid prohibitive computational time, the modeling of sources and storage has to be fairly simple. The multi-period optimization problem was formulated. The chosen objective function is economic: The provided economic model is accurate and use nonlinear equations. Finally the formulated problem is a nonlinear Programming problem. Optimization of the studied case exhibits consistent operating profiles and design. A comparison is made of different types of storage connection at the production site, highlighting the relevance of placing the storage at the solar field outlet. The optimum configuration supplies 49% of demand using solar energy, achieving a renewable rate of 69% in combination with the biomass boiler.

scholarly journals A methodology to integrate solar thermal energy in district heating networks confronted with a Swedish real case study

2017 ◽  
Vol 122 ◽  
pp. 865-870 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Joly ◽  
Gabriel Ruiz ◽  
Franz Mauthner ◽  
Paul Bourdoukan ◽  
Morgane Emery ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Energy ◽  
District Heating ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Real Case ◽  
Solar Thermal Energy ◽  
Heating Networks

scholarly journals District heating network modelling for future integration of solar thermal energy

2021 ◽  
Vol 2042 (1) ◽  
pp. 012089
Author(s):  
Clement Dromart ◽  
Loïc Puthod ◽  
Jérôme H. Kämpf ◽  
Diane von Gunten
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Models ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
District Heating ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Solar Thermal Energy ◽  
Network Modelling ◽  
Thermodynamic Conditions ◽  
Solar Thermal Collectors ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Heating Networks

Abstract A key advantage of district heating networks is their ability to integrate different renewable energy sources, from geothermal to solar. However, the success of this integration depends on a variety of design and technical decisions, such as feed-in locations or operating temperatures, which need to be compared and analysed. For this purpose, dynamic models of district heating grids, which allow for an hourly representation of the thermodynamic conditions, are necessary. This type of models are nevertheless still uncommon, drastically limiting options to perform these comparisons accurately. To address this challenge, an open-source tool to model district heating networks is presented here and successfully applied to two case studies in western Switzerland. These simulations are then used in conjunction with simplified models of storage and solar thermal collectors to investigate, in a preliminary way, the impact of solar thermal integration on the mass flow and temperature of the network pipes, illustrating the interest of the proposed method to compare different configurations of renewable heat injections in district heating networks.

Using Genetic Algorithms and the Exergonomic Approach to Optimize District Heating Networks

1998 ◽  
Vol 120 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Cammarata ◽  
A. Fichera ◽  
L. Marletta
Keyword(s):  
Iterative Procedure ◽  
Exergy Analysis ◽  
District Heating ◽  
Minimum Cost ◽  
Pressure Losses ◽  
Optimum Configuration ◽  
General Mathematical Model ◽  
Temperature And Pressure ◽  
Heating Networks ◽  
Economic Standpoint

This paper discusses the application of exergy analysis to a district heating network (DHN) currently in operation in Brescia (Italy). The purpose is to compare the existing system design with that resulting from an exergonomic analysis. To this aim a general mathematical model is formulated to account for irreversibilities due to the temperature and pressure losses as well as for the assessment of exergy costs for each stream. The objective function is stated as the sum of capital, operational, and maintenance costs of the whole DHN. Such a function is minimized by using two different approaches: an iterative procedure and a genetic algorithm; the latter proves to be particularly suited for this type of problem. Both methods lead to comparable outcomes in terms of minimum cost and plant arrangement. Finally, the optimum configuration is compared with the existing one and shows that the actual network is far from an optimum design both from a thermodynamic and an economic standpoint. Such a procedure could be used profitably in the design of any future DHN.

scholarly journals Experimental Validation of Heat Transport Modelling in Large Solar Thermal Plants

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 2343
Author(s):  
Kevin Sartor ◽  
Rémi Dickes
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transport ◽  
District Heating ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Computational Time ◽  
Outlet Temperature ◽  
Atmospheric Conditions ◽  
Present Contribution ◽  
Transport Modelling ◽  
Thermal Plant ◽  
Time Required

Solar thermal plants are often considered as a convenient and environmentally friendly way to supply heat to buildings or low temperature industrial processes. Some modelling techniques are required to assess the dynamic behaviour of solar thermal plants in order to control them correctly. This aspect is reinforced while large plants are considered. Indeed, some atmospheric conditions, such as local clouds, could have significant influence on the outlet temperature of the solar field. A common modelling approach to assess the heat transport in pipes is the one-dimensional finite volume method. However, previous work shows limitations in the assessment of the temperatures and in the computational time required for simulating large pipe networks. In this contribution, a previous alternative method developed and validated in a district heating network is used and extended to a solar thermal plant considering the thermal solar gain and the inertia of the pipes. The present contribution intends to experimentally validate this model on an existing solar plant facility available at the Plataforma Solar de Almeria in Spain.

scholarly journals The future of DH and the role of solar thermal energy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralf-Roman Schmidt ◽  
Paolo Leoni ◽  
Hamid Aghaie
Keyword(s):  
District Heating ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Heat Sources ◽  
Solar Thermal Energy ◽  
Heating And Cooling ◽  
Operation Costs ◽  
Almost Everywhere ◽  
Systemic Level

Solar thermal (ST) energy is one of the few renewable heat sources that is available almost everywhere and can bring multiple benefits to district heating and cooling (DHC) networks (on an environmental and systemic level) with very low operation costs and risks. However, the current share of ST in DHC networks is almost zero on a global scale.

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