DESCRIPTION
Preliminary studies have been carried out to set up modeling and experimental tests on the management of efficient and innovative configurations of district heating networks, to achieve a more timely integration and utilization of waste heat and sustainable energy sources, and include: analysis of the availability of sustainable sources, heating and cooling demand in the area, and efficient technological solutions, leading to the identification of two case studies:

• The refurbishment of an existing plant (with two operating scenarios)
• a newly constructed power plant powered by renewable technologies and a plant that can provide at least 30-40% waste heat, and a “model grid” derived from real average characteristics so that the results of the study are generalizable to requirements under scenarios operating at low or ultra-low temperatures.

 
APPLICATIONS
Preliminary activities carried out to develop ex ante model simulations on the operation of efficient and innovative district heating network configurations capable of harnessing renewables and waste heat are instrumental in the execution of tests intended to guide industry operators, district heating operators, and regulators.
 
USERS
The main users of the preliminary activities carried out are industrial sector operators, district heating operators and regulatory authorities.
 
FOCUS
Jiang, «Optimal Planning of Future District Heating Systems- A Review,» Energies , vol. 15, n. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15197160, p. 7160, 2022. -Ada Del Corno, Alessio La Bella, «Sperimentazione in campo e valutazione della gestione ottimizzata innovativa di una centrale di teleriscaldamento,» (Field experimentation and assessment of optimized innovative management of a district heating plant) RSE, 2022 – Gudmundsson, «Economic comparison of 4GDH and 5GDH systems – Using a case study » Energy 238, 121613 (2022).