SWD.SOL2

Evaluation of decentralized solar heat feed-in into the CHP district heating system of the Stadtwerke Düsseldorf AG

Subject

  • Solar thermal energy
  • Buldings
  • District heating

Task

  • Pilot project
  • Development
  • Research

Funding

  • Public funds

Period

07/2019 – 06/2022

Budget

367.832 (Solites)

Description

The decentralized feed-in of solar heat into district heating networks is a promising option for the decarbonization of heating networks in urban areas. However, there are still many technical and organizational issues regarding this approach that have not been solved yet. Accordingly, many key players are reluctant to erect a solar heating plant with decentralized feed-in.

The Stadtwerke Düsseldorf AG is different. In the previous project SWD.SOL (runtime: 2015 to 2018), they demonstrated pioneering spirit and constructed an experimental plant on a real scale. This experimental plant can be used for practical testing of decentralized solar heat feed-in into the existing district heating system in Düsseldorf. By using the implemented experimental plant, the SWD.SOL2 project will carry out an evaluation of different hydraulic variants for the decentralized integration of solar heat into large urban district heating networks.

Client

Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) (FKZ 03EN3004B)

Partner

  • Steinbeis Research Institute Solites (DE)
  • Stadtwerke Düsseldorf (municipal utility) (DE)
  • Environmental Agency Düsseldorf (DE)

Aim

The research project aims to fill essential gaps in knowledge on the field of decentralized solar heat feed-in and to support the market integration of the technology. In this respect, different hydraulic variants for decentralized solar heat feed-in will be tested at a location in the district heating network of the Stadtwerke Düsseldorf AG and analysed in complementary simulations. As a result, statements and recommendations regarding the hydraulic design and the control approach of solar thermal plants with decentralized feed-in are possible. Thus, it can be shown a possible development for greenhouse gas-free heat generation to the district heating sector.

Implementation

Following phases and operations are included:

  • Testing of decentralized solar heat feed-in into the district heating network of the Stadtwerke Düsseldorf AG with different hydraulic variants.
  • Optimization of the hydraulic variants by system simulation.
  • Analysis of different feed-in concepts (e.g. return to return feed-in vs. return to supply feed-in) under technical and economic aspects for generalized conditions based on simulations.
  • Evaluation of positions for decentralized solar heat feed-in based on measurements in the district heating network of the Stadtwerke Düsseldorf AG.
  • Development of recommendations.
  • Verification of the feasibility study for the use of solar heat in the district heating network of the Stadtwerke Düsseldorf AG.

Results

The intended overarching results are as follows:

  • Improvement of the knowledge base for the planning of solar thermal plants with decentralized feed-in.
  • Generation of a verified data basis for the possible development of a compact controller for solar thermal feed-in stations.
  • Insertion of the findings into regulatory modules.
  • Development of a data basis for the strategy development, how solar thermal energy can contribute to the optimization of the application planning of the existing heat generation units within the district heating network of the Stadtwerke Düsseldorf AG.
  • Evaluation of a system technology for the decarbonisation of the district heating sector.

Downloads and links
Homepage Stadtwerke Düsseldorf

Contact
Kai Schäfer
schaefer@solites.de

This Project has received funding from

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