Heat Meter Research Articles

Heat load patterns in district heating substations

Future smart energy grids will require more information exchange between interfaces in the energy system. One interface where dearth of information exists is in district heating substations, being the interfaces between the distribution network and the customer building heating systems. Previously, manual meter readings were collected once or a few times a year. Today, automatic meter readings are available resulting in low cost hourly meter reading data. In a district heating system, errors and deviations in customer substations propagates through the network to the heat supply plants. In order to reduce future customer and heat supplier costs, a demand appears for smart functions identifying errors and deviations in the substations. Hereby, also a research demand appears for defining normal and abnormal heat load patterns in customer substations. The main purpose with this article is to perform an introductory analysis of several high resolution measurements in order to provide valuable information about substations for creating future applications in smart heat grids. One year of hourly heat meter readings from 141 substations in two district heating networks were analysed. The connected customer buildings were classified into five different customer categories and four typical heat load patterns were identified. Two descriptive parameters, annual relative daily variation and annual relative seasonal variation, were defined from each 1year sequence for identifying normal and abnormal heat load patterns. The three major conclusions are associated both with the method used and the objects analysed. First, normal heat load patterns vary with applied control strategy, season, and customer category. Second, it is possible to identify obvious outliers compared to normal heat loads with the two descriptive parameters used in this initial analysis. Third, the developed method can probably be enhanced by redefining the customer categories by their indoor activities.

Energy conservation in China's higher educationinstitutions

This paper analyzes the energy conservation situation in China's higher education institutions (HEIs). A case study was conducted in Changchun, Jilin, where eight HEIs of various types were examined. An analysis of government policies was also performed. The findings indicate that the HEIs have implemented comprehensive non-technical initiatives to conserve electricity, including electricity restrictions and extensions of winter breaks, as well as certain technical initiatives. The HEIs are less enthusiastic in conserving thermal energy due to a lack of financial incentives and resources. Differences between the HEIs are also noted. This paper discusses the role of key players, including administrators, government agencies, networks, students and non-government organizations (NGOs). Challenges to energy conservation are also identified, such as the lack of investment by schools, lack of government funding, quality problems in energy conservation products, inadequate heat metering reform, underperformance of energy service companies (ESCOs), and conflicts between energy conservation and student welfare. Policy recommendations are offered based on the analysis results.

An Identity Authentication Algorithm in the Object Name Service of the Internet of Things for Heat Meter

An Identity Authentication Algorithm in the Object Name Service of the Internet of Things for Heat Meter

Intelligent Heat Meter of Monitoring and Controlling System for Heating Supply Based on GPRS Network

In order to realize long-range real-time online monitor and control of the measured data on the spot, and bring about control consumption of heat-energy according to need, a heat meter is developed for heating supply based on GPRS network technology. Low-power single-chip microcomputer MSP430FW427 is adopted as the measuring instruments in which SIEMENS MC55 module was used as a GPRS communication and LC oscillator coupling technology as flow sensor. In addition, the measurement principle of the heat quantity, the design methods of the software and hardware for heat meter are explained in detail, and the mathematical models of temperature and liquid sensor are established in the paper. Application of GPRS communication technology provides a transparent data transmission channel, thus realizing real-time data exchange between fared knots and monitoring center. On-the-spot operations prove that when the system is in real operation, data transmission rate is about 61.8kbps, thus having more advantages of security，accuracy and data transmission rate, effectively solving the problem of a large number of investment on traditional remote monitoring and control system.

Study on the Behavior Energy-Saving of the Heat Users of Central Heating System

As one of the effective ways of building energy saving, behavior energy-saving has the positive promotion function regarding the heating energy saving for the heat users of central heating system. The effect of behavior energy-saving on the heating load characteristics of central heating systems was studied based on the present development of central heating metering technology. The study was promoted combined the theoretical analysis and questionnaire survey. At first, the influence factors of behavior energy-saving were analyzed. Then the questionnaire survey about the present situation of behavior energy-saving was carried out and the basic heating modes of heat users were summarized considering on heating mode, habits and customs and the family structure characteristics. The concept and mainly form of behavior energy-saving and behavior energy-saving rate of central heating system heat users were clear and definitude by study on the behavior energy-saving rate. Thus it has good coaching and promoting effect on the development of behavior energy-saving.

Intelligent Card Heat Meter System Design Based on Singlechip PIC16C72

This paper mainly introduce the hardware design and working principle of intelligent IC card heat meter which use the single-chip PIC16C72 as the core. This heat meter system can calculate the actual heat consumption in certain time that is used by users through measuring instantaneous flow and temperature of hot water, and users can adjust water flow of heating apparatus to realize the targets of saving both energy and charges.

Modeling and Control of the Precision for the Building Energy Consumption Monitoring System

Building energy conservation has become to be one of the major tasks of promoting energy conservation and raise the efficiency of energy consumption. Meters are the source of data, it is important to study data precision model based on the accuracy of the error analysis method. This paper firstly introduces error analysis, error distribution and error control theory, then take electric and heat meters for example to describe the error analysis and error distribute methods. The results show that when the precision level of voltage is 0.2, current is 0.2 and power factor is 0.5, the maximum relative error of electrical quantity can be controlled less than 1%, meet the requirement of measurement. The total relative error of heat meter is inverse proportion with temperature difference of sensor and water flow, and when the temperature difference remains unchanged, the error of heat meter trends to main steady if the instant flow of water more than half of the normal flow value.

Design and Tests of Wireless Network for Heat Metering System

A wireless self-organizing network for heat metering system is designed based on ZigBee in this paper. XBee-Pro module is used for terminal nodes. Such nodes set up wireless mesh network, collecting heating meter data on one hand and realizing remote transmission of data though setting up mesh network with Router and Coordinator. The test is showing that wireless network system based on XBee-Pro module is convenient to use, reliable to transmit data and applies to collect spot discrete data and wireless transmission and meet requirement of heating meter remote transmission, realizing informatization and automation of controlling and monitoring of heating meter system.

Calibration of an ultrasonic flow meter for hot water

If we want to keep the number of necessary characterisation measurements within acceptable limits, we need to be confident that a flow instrument design reacts in a predictable and straightforward way to systematic influences. In this paper, the important systematic influences for an ultrasonic flow meter (UFM) for feed water flow are identified to decide which characterisations have to be carried out in addition to a typical baseline calibration with water at 20 °C. In heat metering applications where there are temperatures up to 120 °C it is for example known that the temperature influence on the flow instrument is important and this also applies to higher temperatures such as in the feed water control of power plants. One of the critical systematic temperature influences that affects most flow instruments is the thermal expansion of the meter body. From June 2009 to March 2010, the “Heat and Vacuum” department of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt conducted a measurement campaign to characterise the influence of thermal expansion of a meter body on the calibration of an 8 inch (DN 200) five chord UFM for feed water application in the temperature range from 4 °C to 85 °C and flow range from 50 m3 h−1 to 900 m3 h−1. An overview of the procedures and facility used for the calibration is given and the measurement conditions under which the calibrations were performed are detailed. It is shown that a linear model of the thermal expansion effect is appropriate for the investigated conditions.

Discussion on Household Heat Metering and Central Control of Heating System

Aiming at the current unreasonable heat charge policy, this paper describes the necessity of consumption-based heat bill system, introduces the basic ideas and problems of household heat metering and central control on total heat supply, and analyzes the relationship of household heat metering and central control. The study shows these two aspects should be well coordinated wit[h each other for better energy savings.

Design of Temperature Measured Terminal with GPRS in the Central Heating Room and Research of the Charging Method by Indoor Temperature Measured

The paper explores a new method of the heating measurement and charging in the central heating system. The method is different from mechanical heat metering and ultrasonic heat metering existing now. However, by measuring the indoor temperature and recording the temperature periodically during the heating period, and upload the data which are measured and stored in the terminal periodically to the Internet serve by GPRS. It can adjust the charging according to the actual indoor temperature which is transmitted by the terminal. Finally not only can the system meet the requirements of the users in the heating period, but also achieve the building energy efficiency. Adhere to people-oriented principle. Make the service of heating become more and more humanized.

Analysis and proposal of implementation effects of heat metering and energy efficiency retrofit of existing residential buildings in northern heating areas of China in “the 11th Five-Year Plan” period

In China, northern heating region contains approximately 6.5billionm2 residential building areas accounting for 15% of the total residential living areas of urban and rural. About 70% of the urban residential buildings in north China are high energy consumption buildings. The task of heat metering and energy efficiency retrofit of 0.15billionm2 existing residential buildings in northern heating areas of China in “the 11th Five-Year Plan” period was proposed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban–Rural Development (MOHURD) in 2007 and completed in 2010. This paper introduced both central and local governments' efforts on organization, implementation and finance, etc. Then several retrofitting effects involving improving the people's livelihood, mobilizing the enthusiasm of residents for the retrofit and driving the development of relevant industries were presented. Finally, on the basis of analyzing the issues encountered in the progress of the retrofit in the past 4 years, the paper gave some policy proposals on organization system, financing models, reward mechanism, and heating system reformation to help to promote the energy efficiency retrofit in “the 12th Five-Year Plan” period.

Design of Wireless Heat Automatic Reading Meter Monitoring System

As the whole world values the energy-saving very highly, a monitoring system, which can monitor the precise heat consumption data and schedule on demand in time, is urgently needed. This paper presents a master station monitoring system of wireless heat automatic reading meter system (named as WiHeat-AMRS). It is mainly used for residential district heat-supply system whose main function is measuring heat, charging for heat, and monitoring the running status of the whole heat system. The master station monitoring system, which was designed and implemented by the author own, consists of two parts: monitoring component and back-end database. The paper focuses on the design of both monitoring component and back-end database structure. The monitoring component collects the data of each heat meter via a wireless gateway, analyzes those data, store in the database, and achieves the automated management of heat system. Meanwhile, the master station monitoring system has been put into service by our cooperative, and has gotten great reviews.

Design of Remote Transmission System for Wireless Heat Metering

A design scheme is proposed in this paper for heat metering remote transmission system based on the Xbee Pro module. Wireless network technology is used in the scheme. A dynamic monitoring, control and transmission network is composed by the wireless network system and the computer in the monitoring and control center. The real-time data detected from heat metering system can be transmitted and monitored. Xbee Pro module and MSP430FW427 single-chip micro-computer are used in the nodes or terminals of the system. The self-provided functions and modules of the components are taken into sufficient consideration in the design to make the system performance as superior as possible and the system structure as simple as possible. In this way, the transmission system with low power consumption and simple structure is achieved.

Design of Remote Transmission System for Wireless Heat Metering

A design scheme is proposed in this paper for heat metering remote transmission system based on the Xbee Pro module. Wireless network technology is used in the scheme. A dynamic monitoring, control and transmission network is composed by the wireless network system and the computer in the monitoring and control center. The real-time data detected from heat metering system can be transmitted and monitored. Xbee Pro module and MSP430FW427 single-chip micro-computer are used in the nodes or terminals of the system. The self-provided functions and modules of the components are taken into sufficient consideration in the design to make the system performance as superior as possible and the system structure as simple as possible. In this way, the transmission system with low power consumption and simple structure is achieved.

Attentions for the Design and Application of on-Off Valve Regulation and Household Heat Allocation Technique

As a new kind of heat metering and controlling system for central heating system, on-off ratio; on-off valve regulation and household heat allocation technique had been recognized by the scholars recently because of its low cost, simple control process, convenient construction and so on. In China, on-off ratio; on-off valve regulation and household heat allocation technique had been written in “Technical specification for heat metering of district heating system” as a heat metering and controlling system for central heating system and had been applied in some district heating system in China. However, there were some calculated errors if on-off ratio was adopted directly by experiments comparing modified heat metering. There would be a difficulty in charge if ignoring these errors. Due to the circumstance, the applied research of on-off heat metering was carried out in some communities. The measures which on-off ratio was relevantly modified were proposed to improve the heat metering accuracy. On this basis, the method of hourly apportion was put forward to eliminate the adverse effects which the supply/back water temperature had an influence on apportion in different time. By comparison, the accuracy of hourly apportion has a significant improvement compared to accumulate apportion. The preliminary optimized design scheme was acquired to determine the appropriate location of main heat meter according to different cases, and it was significative to optimize the on-off valve regulation and household heat allocation technique. Several problems were found by field information analysis, and the corresponding solutions were obtained by a huge universe of consolidated data and summarize experience. In addition, a few design gists were proposed in the application process of on-off ratio; on-off valve regulation and household heat allocation technique application based on research data.

The Study of Low-Power Consumption Heat Meter Based on MSP430

A low-power consumption heat meter with long-distance communication was designed based on MSP430F413 and TDC-GP2. The new flow measurement circuit and correction method were introduced in detail, which improved the accuracy of the heat meter effectively. In order to reduce the power consumption, the running time of the CPU was minimized, the floating-point operation was avoided, and the communication circuit was designed specially. The experiments showed the design is valid.

Design of Heat Metering System Based on MCS-51

The heat metering system is one of the key facilities to reform the heating systems of city and to charge according to heat quantity consumption. The design of heat metering system based on mcs-51 includes two sections--hardware and software. The hardware section is composed of flow sensor, temperature sensor and single-chip microcontroller (SCM for short). The system can calculate heat quantity intelligently, so the users pay the actual heat quantity consumption.

The Demonstration Engineering Data Analysis of Heat Allocation Technique Based on on-Off Time and Area Method in Xingtai

Introduces the construction and operational aspect of 15 plots of existing buildings heat metering demonstration engineering in Xingtai, arranging the average heat consumption of Xingtai city, each plot, each building, every heat user according to the actual operating data. The results of data analysis indicate that the heat allocation technique based on on-off time and area method can characterize the users' demand for the size of the heat correctly, achieve the purpose of a reasonable heat metering. Applying the heat allocation technique based on on-off time and area method in the actual project is feasible, can popularize and apply extensively.

Electricity Smart Meters Interfacing the Households

The recent worldwide measures for energy savings call for a larger awareness of the household energy consumption, given the relevant contribution of domestic load to the national energy balance. On the other hand, electricity smart meters together with gas, heat, and water meters can be interconnected in a large network offering a potential value to implement energy savings and other energy-related services, as long as an efficient interface with the final user is implemented. Unfortunately, so far, the interface of such devices is mostly designed and addressed at the utilities supervising the system, giving them relevant advantages, while the communication with the household is often underestimated. This paper addresses this topic by proposing the definition of a local interface for smart meters, by looking at the actual European Union and international regulations, at the technological solutions available on the market, and at those implemented in different countries, and, finally, by proposing specific architectures for a proper consumer-oriented implementation of a smart meter network.