WP07

Case studies Romandie: strategies and potentials of temperature reduction on existing district heating networks

Abstract:

While reduction of DH (district heating) temperature is a priority for integration of renewable heat, it is conditioned by the temperature level of the individual substations. This issue is of particular concern for existing buildings, where distribution temperatures are known to be high, and where corrective actions within inhabited spaces is of particular complexity. Several techniques for temperature reductions at substation level have been proposed or are currently under investigation, but their actual implementation on existing DH substations depends to a large extent on pre-existing conditions. Furthermore, the actual benefit of temperature reduction at the level of the DH network, as well as interaction between temperature reduction strategies and other energy policy measures, need to be analyzed on specific case studies. Within this WP, these issues will be tackled by means of case studies on existing DH systems, in urban and rural context, requiring close collaboration with our cooperation partners.

Objectives:

Based on actual case studies, gain a solid understanding of

  1. Strategies/actions to lower temperature levels on existing substations;
  2. Impact of such strategies at the level of the DH network, in terms of integration of renewable heat;
  3. Interaction between temperature reduction strategies and other energy policy measures;
  4. Socio-technical dynamics of the implementation of temperature reduction measures;
  5. Suitable socio-economic and policy measures to accelerate  the diffusion of such solutions.

Tasks:

  • T7.1 Temperature reduction in existing DH substations
  • T7.2 Impact of different temperature lowering strategies at the level of DH networks
  • T7.3 Interaction between temperature reduction strategies and other energy policy measures
  • T7.4 Comparison of different measures and governance arrangements for the implementation of temperature reduction strategies

Technology Readiness Level (TRL): from 6 to 8

Expected Outcomes / Milestones:

  • Substation for auditing method chosen + preliminary monitoring process defined
  • Temperature reduction techniques chosen + tools for analysis defined
  • Case studies defined
  • General framework defined

Duration: July 2021 - December 2024 (42 months)

Lead: Dr. Pierre Hollmuller (UNIGE-SE)

Team:

 WP06

WP08