Performance Assessment of District Energy Systems with Common Elements for Heating and Cooling

Aleksandar Ivančić,Joaquim Romaní,Maria-Victoria Cambronero,Jaume Salom

doi:10.3390/en14082334

Aleksandar Ivančić, Joaquim Romaní + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/en14082334

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Abstract

District energy systems, especially those integrating renewables or low exergy sources, have multiple elements for generating heating and cooling. Some of these elements might be used for both purposes: heating and cooling, either simultaneously or alternatively. This makes it more complex to separate the assessment and have a clear picture on performance of cooling service on one side, and heating services on the other, in terms of energy, environmental, and economic results. However, a correct comparison between different district energy configurations or among district energy and conventional solutions requires split assessment of each service. The paper presents a methodology for calculating different district heating and cooling system key performance indicators (KPIs), distinguishing between heating and cooling ones. A total of eleven indicators are organized under four categories: energy, environment, economy and socio-economy. Each KPI is defined for heating service and for cooling service. According to this, the methodology proposes a demand-based and an investment-based share factors that facilitate the heating and cooling KPI calculation.

Highlights

Due to new cooling comfort demands, caused by higher internal heat gains, better insulation, and by increasing outdoor temperatures due to climate change, the cooling demand of buildings is rising
During the accomplished literature review we have identified a lack of methodologies to calculate an appropriate key performance indicators (KPIs) for such a purpose
The DHC planners, utilities and public administration, which are interested in fulfilling the heating and cooling needs with the most environmentally friendly and economically feasible way need a robust and clear benchmarking method

Summary

Introduction

Due to new cooling comfort demands, caused by higher internal heat gains, better insulation, and by increasing outdoor temperatures due to climate change, the cooling demand of buildings is rising. The. IEA forecasting establishes a baseline scenario, which envisages a further tripling in energy needs for space cooling by 2050 [1]. Yalew et al [2] analysed results of 220 studies, published between the years 2002–2019, projecting climate change impacts on energy systems generally, including cooling demands. The literature review shows a global consensus on decreases in heating demand in cold regions and increases in cooling demand in warm regions. The most substantial impact on energy demand is anticipated to occur in the hot summer and warm winter climates, in the built environment where the DHC systems are a suitable solution. The anticipated cooling demand change on regional level ranges from a small variation in the regions of Western Europe and Former Soviet Union, to over 20% increase in

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