5th generation district heating and cooling systems: A review of existing cases in Europe. (April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Buffa, Simone; Cozzini, Marco; D'Antoni, Matteo; Baratieri, Marco; Fedrizzi, Roberto
• Is Part Of: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews. Volume 104(2019)
• Page Start: 504
• Page End: 522
• Publication Date: 2019-04
• Subjects: 3GDH 3rd Generation District Heating -- 4GDH 4th Generation District Heating -- 5GDHC 5th Generation District Heating and Cooling -- ATES Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage -- BTES Borehole Thermal Energy Storage -- CH Chiller -- CHF Swiss franc -- DC District Cooling -- DH District Heating -- DHW Domestic hot water -- ESCO Energy Service Company -- GSHP Ground Source Heat Pump -- HP Heat Pump -- HD Heat Demand -- LHPDD Linear Heating Power Demand Density -- LTDH Low-Temperature District Heating -- LTDHC Low-Temperature District Heating and Cooling -- LTN Low-Temperature Networks -- PVT Photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collector -- RES Renewable Energy Sources -- SC Space cooling -- SH Space Heating -- SWOT Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats -- TES Thermal Energy Storage -- ULTDH Ultra-Low-Temperature District Heating -- WSHP Water Source Heat Pump; District heating and cooling -- Cold district heating -- Heat pump -- Smart energy systems; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2018.12.059
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-0321

Abstract

Abstract: This article investigates 40 thermal networks in operation in Europe that are able to cover both the heating and cooling demands of buildings by means of distributed heat pumps installed at the customer substations. The technology of thermal networks that work at a temperature close to the ground, can strongly contribute to the decarbonisation of the heating and cooling sector and furthermore exploit a multitude of low temperature heat sources. Nevertheless, the nomenclature used in literature shows that misinterpretations could easily result when comparing the different concepts of thermal networks that operate at a temperature level lower than traditional district heating. The scope of this work is to revise the definitions encountered and to introduce an unambiguous definition of Fifth-Generation District Heating and Cooling networks. A drawback-benefit analysis is presented to identify the pros and cons of such technology. The survey on the current networks shows that on average three Fifth-Generation District Heating and Cooling systems per year have entered the heating and cooling market in the last decade. Pioneer countries in such technology are Germany and Switzerland. For some networks, the assessed Linear Heating Power Demand Density results are lower than the feasibility threshold adopted in traditional district heating. High performances and low non-renewable primary energy factors are achieved in systems that exploit a very high share of renewable or urban excess heat sources. With respect to traditional district heating, the surveyed pumping energy consumptions result one order of magnitude higher, whereas the implemented control strategies can be completely different, leading the network temperature to float freely. Highlights: Different definitions of 5GDHC systems have been reviewed. The key features of 40 5GDHC systems have been statistically analysed. 5GDHC flexibility allows exploiting a multitude of local heat sources. Existing 5GDHC networks are extended up to a district-scale achieving low primary energy factors.