Conventionally, District Heating (DH) networks have been developed with a centralized logic, with large generation units designed to provide space heating to distributed users. Some networks have already evolved to a stage in which multiple generation units are distributed throughout the network and are supplying heat from different sources and with different schedules. ICT technologies can be the basis for a live optimization of the network, which can be implemented by minimizing energy supply cost for the users or minimizing greenhouse gases emissions. This paper proposes an optimization analysis of the energy generation in a real distributed energy system (DES) coupled to a District Heating (DH) in Turin by maximizing the DES operator profit and minimizing greenhouse gases emissions. The results show the limited effect of the demand profile variation in comparison with the potential benefits of optimization strategies against the current operation of the case study under analysis, the main reason being the good flexibility of the available heat generation units. Thus, the installation of distributed storage units should be preferred in DH networks characterized by a large share of non-flexible generation options, such as solar energy or waste heat from industries, or where the energy prices show large variations over the day.
A multi-objective optimization analysis to assess the potential economic and environmental benefits of distributed storage in district heating networks: A case study
Roberto R.;De Iulio R.;Di Somma M.;Graditi G.;Guidi G.;
2019-01-01
Abstract
Conventionally, District Heating (DH) networks have been developed with a centralized logic, with large generation units designed to provide space heating to distributed users. Some networks have already evolved to a stage in which multiple generation units are distributed throughout the network and are supplying heat from different sources and with different schedules. ICT technologies can be the basis for a live optimization of the network, which can be implemented by minimizing energy supply cost for the users or minimizing greenhouse gases emissions. This paper proposes an optimization analysis of the energy generation in a real distributed energy system (DES) coupled to a District Heating (DH) in Turin by maximizing the DES operator profit and minimizing greenhouse gases emissions. The results show the limited effect of the demand profile variation in comparison with the potential benefits of optimization strategies against the current operation of the case study under analysis, the main reason being the good flexibility of the available heat generation units. Thus, the installation of distributed storage units should be preferred in DH networks characterized by a large share of non-flexible generation options, such as solar energy or waste heat from industries, or where the energy prices show large variations over the day.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
