Info

This app illustrates the heat grid planning with the tool GridPLAN, developed in the project SURE. A graphical planning algorithm determines the most cost-efficient connection between heat sources and distribution nodes.

Explore some results and sensitivities with example data for the heatgrid backbone of Zurich!

Parameters
Peak heat demand
2500 MW
 
Temperature spread
30 K
 
Pipe cost DN20
500 CHF/m
 
Pipe cost DN400
3500 CHF/m
 
Lifetime: 35 years
Interest rate: 5%
Full load hours: 2000 h/year
 

Inputs to GridPLAN

The maximum heat power that can be transported through a pipe increases with the pipe diameter [DN] as well as the temperature spread [dT] between feed flow and return flow.

The pipe investment costs can be scaled using the input parameters for a small (DN20) and a large (DN400) pipe.

The investment costs per heat power are a result of combining the pipe investment costs with the maximum heat power.
Outputs of GridPLAN

  • Annual heat demand is computed from the input parameter (Peak heat demand) using a capacity factor of 2000 hours.
  • Total grid investment cost is the sum of all pipe investments (each depending on the pipes' diameter and length).
  • Annualized grid costs per unit energy delivered is the ratio between total grid investment cost (multiplied with an annuity factor of 6.1%) and the annual heat demand.
  • The figure shows the annualized grid costs per unit energy delivered for different shares of customers connecting. The lowest grid cost is achieved if 100% of the customers connect and the full annual heat demand is served. If less customers than anticipated connect, the grid costs per unit energy delivered increase, due to the decreasing heat demand.

  • The heatgrid backbone is computed using an iterative geometric algorithm, connecting the heat demand points to the heat sources, and convex optimization to optimize the location of the intermediate nodes.
  • The optimal topology is precomputed off-line for the default system parameters, but heat flows, pipes and investment costs are recomputed for the variable input parameters.
  • Click on the grid elements on the map for more information and toggle the map layers (top right).