Techno-economic analysis of electrical flexibility in combustion-based district heating systems: A Swiss case study

Abstract

Nowadays, the expected growth of local flexibility markets and demand-response mechanisms is urging researchers and practitioners to obtain flexibility from all possible devices, including those historically considered as “stiff”. To this end, this work proposes an alternative control strategy for combustion-based district heating systems allowing the pumping system to operate as a flexible load. The idea is investigated via simulation in the case study of Capriasca (Lugano), within the framework of the EU-H2020-ACCEPT project. Starting from historical on-field measurements of heat consumption, a techno-economic analysis is conducted upon the flexibility obtainable from the pumping system, along with its cost, in two different scenarios: (i) participation in a local flexibility market and (ii) participation in a demand response program. Eventually, further to proving the viability of the proposed idea, the analysis shows that percent flexibility between 25% and 70% of the pumping system rated power can be reached, depending on the heat consumption. The additional economic advantages of flexible DHS operation in low electricity price scenarios are also highlighted.