Improving thermal performance of existing UK district heat network: a case for temperature optimization
This paper presents results of a research study into improving energy performance of small-scale district heat network through water supply and return temperature optimization technique. The case study involves establishing the baseline heat demand of the estate’s buildings, benchmarking the existin...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2018
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| Online Access: | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/48397/ |
| _version_ | 1848797753422905344 |
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| author | Tunzi, Michele Boukhanouf, Rabah Li, Hongwei Svendsen, Svend Ianakiev, Anton |
| author_facet | Tunzi, Michele Boukhanouf, Rabah Li, Hongwei Svendsen, Svend Ianakiev, Anton |
| author_sort | Tunzi, Michele |
| building | Nottingham Research Data Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | This paper presents results of a research study into improving energy performance of small-scale district heat network through water supply and return temperature optimization technique. The case study involves establishing the baseline heat demand of the estate’s buildings, benchmarking the existing heat network operating parameters, and defining the optimum supply and return temperature. A stepwise temperature optimization technique of plate radiators heat emitters was applied to control the buildings indoor thermal comfort using night set back temperature strategy of 21/18 °C. It was established that the heat network return temperature could be lowered from the current measured average of 55 °C to 35.6 °C, resulting in overall reduction of heat distribution losses and fuel consumption of 10% and 9% respectively. Hence, the study demonstrates the potential of operating existing heat networks at optimum performance and achieving lower return temperature. It was also pointed out that optimal operation of future low temperature district heat networks will require close engagement between the operator and the end user through incentives of mutual benefit. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T20:08:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | nottingham-48397 |
| institution | University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T20:08:53Z |
| publishDate | 2018 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | nottingham-483972020-05-04T19:24:46Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/48397/ Improving thermal performance of existing UK district heat network: a case for temperature optimization Tunzi, Michele Boukhanouf, Rabah Li, Hongwei Svendsen, Svend Ianakiev, Anton This paper presents results of a research study into improving energy performance of small-scale district heat network through water supply and return temperature optimization technique. The case study involves establishing the baseline heat demand of the estate’s buildings, benchmarking the existing heat network operating parameters, and defining the optimum supply and return temperature. A stepwise temperature optimization technique of plate radiators heat emitters was applied to control the buildings indoor thermal comfort using night set back temperature strategy of 21/18 °C. It was established that the heat network return temperature could be lowered from the current measured average of 55 °C to 35.6 °C, resulting in overall reduction of heat distribution losses and fuel consumption of 10% and 9% respectively. Hence, the study demonstrates the potential of operating existing heat networks at optimum performance and achieving lower return temperature. It was also pointed out that optimal operation of future low temperature district heat networks will require close engagement between the operator and the end user through incentives of mutual benefit. Elsevier 2018-01-01 Article PeerReviewed Tunzi, Michele, Boukhanouf, Rabah, Li, Hongwei, Svendsen, Svend and Ianakiev, Anton (2018) Improving thermal performance of existing UK district heat network: a case for temperature optimization. Energy and Buildings, 158 . pp. 1576-1585. ISSN 1872-6178 Plate radiators temperature optimization low temperature district heating heat network modelling http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378778817328360 doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.11.049 doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.11.049 |
| spellingShingle | Plate radiators temperature optimization low temperature district heating heat network modelling Tunzi, Michele Boukhanouf, Rabah Li, Hongwei Svendsen, Svend Ianakiev, Anton Improving thermal performance of existing UK district heat network: a case for temperature optimization |
| title | Improving thermal performance of existing UK district heat network: a case for temperature optimization |
| title_full | Improving thermal performance of existing UK district heat network: a case for temperature optimization |
| title_fullStr | Improving thermal performance of existing UK district heat network: a case for temperature optimization |
| title_full_unstemmed | Improving thermal performance of existing UK district heat network: a case for temperature optimization |
| title_short | Improving thermal performance of existing UK district heat network: a case for temperature optimization |
| title_sort | improving thermal performance of existing uk district heat network: a case for temperature optimization |
| topic | Plate radiators temperature optimization low temperature district heating heat network modelling |
| url | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/48397/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/48397/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/48397/ |