Measures for the Optimisation of District Heating Networks

Screenshot of the digital event platform including the THI reception hall, where participants could take a virtual look around. Beyond the presentations, there was also the opportunity to catch up on activities of InES and the exhibiting partner companies.

On Tuesday, 14th of December 2021, the digital conference “Wärmewende mitgestalten – Optimierung von Wärmenetzen” (“Contribution to Heat Transition – Optimisation of District Heating Networks”) took place with over 100 participants. The presentations focused on optimisation measures for district heating networks located in rural areas. The conference was organised by the Institute of new Energy-Systems (InES) settled at the Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI) as part of the project “EffNet – Mit Blended Learning zu energieeffizienten Wärmenetzen im ländlichen Raum” (“EffNet – Blended Learning for energy-efficient heating networks in rural areas”). Participants were able to follow the presentations via livestream on the online platform that was especially set up for the conference. After introductory words by project leader Prof. Dr.-Ing. Tobias Schrag, Mr. Niels Alter (C.A.R.M.E.N. e.V.) gave an overview of various optimisation actions focusing particularly on the heat generation side. Mr. Alter also addressed the issue of reflux cooling in his presentation. The following tandem presentation by Ms. Anna Vannahme (InES, THI) and Mr. Sebastian Blab (ENERPIPE GmbH) outlined a “Catalogue of Measures for the Optimisation and Restructuring of Heating Networks” which was developed within the scope of the joint research project “OREWA”. Mr. Blab also gave practical insight into the examined heating networks and visualised which of the measures presented have already been implemented and what effects they have in figures for the heating network operators.

After the presentations, the participants had the opportunity to engage in digital networking andtake a virtual tour through the InES laboratories. For this, InES staff members created a 360° view of the heating test bench and the laboratory biogas plant, including explanations.

The EffNet project is funded by the European Social Fund and supported by the “Virtuelle Hochschule Bayern“ as project management organisation.