Low-temperature based thermal micro-grids: operation and performance assessments

Sammanfattning: Energy use in the urban environment is vital for the proper functioning of our society, and in particular, comfort heating –or cooling– is a central element of our energy system often taken for granted. Within this context, district energy systems and especially, district heating (DH) systems must evolve to adapt to the upcoming decades-long transition towards a sustainable energy system. This dissertation seeks to introduce, discuss, and assess from a techno-economic perspective the concept of low-temperature (LT) based thermal micro-grids (subnets) as active distribution thermal networks. It explores the role of the subnet at the system distribution level supervised by an active agent (DH substation), performing tasks of heat supply and demand management (storage and dispatch), as well as coordinating bidirectional flows. Here, a mixed methodological approach based on analytical simulation for the assessment of alternatives to evaluate a set of technologies is developed and discussed. This approach covers: the identification of knowledge gaps through the state-of-the-art analysis; a collection of incremental technical and/or economic performance assessments; and the analysis of a measurement data set from an existing LTDH demonstration project. Key findings of this work include: an updated and improved model of aggregated heat loads; identification of differences in load and temperature patterns for certain LT subnets; analysis of benefits and drawbacks of active substations with distributed heat sources and/or storage; and the impact on the reduction of the primary network return temperature as a consequence of the increase in the share of LT subnets, leading to lower generation and operating costs. These outcomes reveal that the integrated design and operation of the active thermal micro-grid have the potential to improve both the performance of the subnet, and that of the primary network. It further enhances the capability of the overall system to integrate unconventional and distributed heat sources together with energy efficient buildings by increasing the system’s flexibility and controllability. Active thermal distribution networks will likely become a subsequent step in the technological development of DH technologies, to address the matter of providing comfort heating in an effective and cost-efficient manner. This work advances the current DH knowledge by identifying synergies and challenges that arise with these new developments, in order for DH technology to play a key role in the future smart and sustainable energy system.