Sector Coupling Potential of a District Heating Network by Consideration of Residual Load and CO2 Emissions

Abstract

The growing share of fluctuating renewable electricity production within the German energy system causes the increasing necessity for flexible consumers, producers, and storage technologies to balance supply and demand. District heating networks with combined heat and power units, Power-to-Heat applications, and thermal energy storage capacities can serve as one of these flexible options. In this context, a simulation model of the district heating network of the rural community Dollnstein, Germany, was built. With the residual load of different regional areas (Germany, Bavaria, Eichstätt, Dollnstein) it is investigated, how the heat generators can operate in an electricity market beneficial way. Two different control algorithms were evaluated: Due to a correlation between the residual loads and the CO2 emissions of the electricity mix, the CO2 savings achieved by this control algorithm are determined. Another way to operate electricity market beneficial is to consider the current CO2 emissions of each region. The main outcomes of this paper are, that there is a high potential for sector coupling by shifting the operation times of a CHP and a heat pump according to the residual load. The electricity demand of the heat pump can be met in terms of low CO2 emissions of the electricity mix, while the CHP can replace electricity with high CO2 emissions. These results can be improved, by considering not the residual load but the current CO2 emissions in the control algorithm.

Dynamic open-source simulation engine for generic modeling of district-scale energy systems with focus on sector coupling and complex operational strategies

“…In this context, operational strategies are defined as rule-based (open loop) controls of the operational state of each individual subsystem in the energy system, as well as energy flow management that controls the energy flows in different directions. Their consideration is essential because operational strategies have a significant influence on GHG emissions of SCES as shown in a study by Werner et al in 2022 [1]. In addition, changes in regulations, available technologies and market parameters require simulation tools to be open in regards to the variety of systems that can be modeled.…”