The aim of this document is to present the topic of modeling district heating systems in order to enable optimization of their operation, with special focus on thermal energy storage in the pipelines. Two mathematical models for simulation of transient behavior of district heating networks have been described, and their results have been compared in a case study. The operational optimization in a DH system, especially if this system is supplied from a combined heat and power plant, is a difficult and complicated task. Finding a global financial optimum requires considering long periods of time and including thermal energy storage possibilities into consideration. One of the most interesting options for thermal energy storage is utilization of thermal inertia of the network itself. This approach requires no additional investment, while providing significant possibilities for heat load shifting. It is not feasible to use full topological models of the networks, comprising thousands of substations and network sections, for the purpose of operational optimization with thermal energy storage, because such models require long calculation times. In order to optimize planned thermal energy storage actions, it is necessary to model the transient behavior of the network in a very simple way – allowing for fast and reliable calculations. Two approaches to building such models have been presented. Both have been tested by comparing the results of simulation of the behavior of the same network. The characteristic features, advantages and disadvantages of both kinds of models have been identified. The results can prove useful for district heating system operators in the near future.

Adsorption refrigeration systems are able to work with heat sources of temperature starting with 50°C. The aim of the article is to determine whether in terms of technical and economic issues adsorption refrigeration equipment can work as elements that produce cold using hot water from the district heating network. For this purpose, examined was the work of the adsorption air conditioning equipment cooperating with drycooler, and the opportunities offered by the district heating network in Warsaw during the summer. It turns out that the efficiency of the adsorption device from the economic perspective is not sufficient for production of cold even during the transitional period. The main problem is not the low temperature of the water supply, but the large difference between the coefficients of performance, COPs, of adsorption device and a traditional compressor air conditioning unit. When outside air temperature is 25°C, the COP of the compressor type reaches a value of 4.49, whereas that of the adsorption device in the same conditions is 0.14. The ratio of the COPs is 32. At the same time ratio between the price of 1 kWh of electric power and 1 kWh of heat is only 2.85. Adsorption refrigeration equipment to be able to compete with compressor devices, should feature COPads efficiency to be greater than 1.52. At such a low driving temperature and even changing the drycooler into the evaporative cooler it is not currently possible to achieve.

Exergy analysis of low temperature geothermal heat plant with compressor and absorption heat pump was carried out. In these two concepts heat pumps are using geothermal water at 19.5°C with spontaneous outflow 24 m3/h as a heat source. The research compares exergy efficiency and exergy destruction of considered systems and its components as well. For the purpose of analysis, the heating system was divided into five components: geothermal heat exchanger, heat pump, heat distribution, heat exchanger and electricity production and transportation. For considered systems the primary exergy consumption from renewable and non-renewable sources was estimated. The analysis was carried out for heat network temperature at 50/40°C, and the quality regulation was assumed. The results of exergy analysis of the system with electrical and absorption heat pump show that exergy destruction during the whole heating season is lower for the system with electrical heat pump. The exergy efficiencies of total system are 12.8% and 11.2% for the system with electrical heat pump and absorption heat pump, respectively.

The article presents the results of surveys to assess the attractiveness of centralized heat supply systems in comparison with other heat sources. The heat source is an important element of the heat supply system which determines heating costs, comfort and environmental impact. The decision on the choice of the type of heat supply system is usually made by the investor or designer. Sometimes the equipment supplier or contractor has a part in this decision. The choice can be influenced by many different factors, also resulting from the specific location of the building. This is only partly determined by local law in the form of a local spatial development plan. the technical conditions (i.e. availability of heating or gas network), economic and financial, as well as much more subjective factors, such as the designer’s or contractor’s preference are also important. Aversion to district heating is growing, even when there are favorable conditions and the possibility of connecting the building to the heating network. Instead, a gas boiler or electrically powered heat pump is selected. This raises the question of whether such decisions are right and how they can be justified. As a research method, surveys were used, which were conducted among people who already have or will have an impact on design and investment decisions in the near future. The obtained results confirmed a large interest in district heating, appreciating their advantages in comparison with other methods of heat generation. The respondents also had the disadvantages that may lead to the use of an alternative methods of heat supplying in mind.

The paper presents a modified algorithm for choosing the optimal coefficient of the share of cogeneration in district heating systems taking into account additional benefits concerning the promotion of highefficiency cogeneration and biomass cofiring. The optimal coefficient of the share of cogeneration depends first of all on the share of the heat required for preparing the hot tap water. The final result of investigations is an empirical equation describing the influence of the ratio of the heat flux for the production of hot tap water to the maximum flux for space heating and ventilation, as well as the share of chemical energy of biomass in the fuel mixture on the optimal value of the share of cogeneration in district heating systems. The approach presented in the paper may be applied both in back-pressure combined heat and power (CHP) plants and in extraction-condensing CHP plants.

The paper presents the first off-grid system designed to supply electricity to the equipment mounted on components of the district heating network in district heating chambers. The proposed off-grid system is equipped, among other things, with a turbine and a generator intended for electricity production. On-grid power supply is a common way of providing electricity with strictly defined, known and verified operating parameters. For off-grid power supply, however, there are no documented testing results showing such parameters. This paper presents selected results of tests and measurements carried out during the operation of an off-grid supply system powering the equipment installed in a district heating chamber. The values of voltage obtained from a turbine-driven generator are analysed in detail. The analysis results can be used as the basis for further works aiming to optimize the off-grid system of electricity supply to devices installed in district heating chambers.

The paper presents the results of optimizing the coefficient of the share of cogeneration expressed by an empirical formula dedicated to designers, which will allow to determine the optimal value of the share of cogeneration in contemporary cogeneration systems with the thermal storages feeding the district heating systems. This formula bases on the algorithm of the choice of the optimal coefficient of the share of cogeneration in district heating systems with the thermal storage, taking into account additional benefits concerning the promotion of high-efficiency cogeneration and the decrease of the cost of CO2 emission thanks to cogeneration. The approach presented in this paper may be applicable both in combined heat and power (CHP) plants with back-pressure turbines and extraction-condensing turbines.

Recent dynamic changes in global fossil fuels markets and the European carbon dioxide emission allowances system have significantly impacted the energy sectors. These fluctuations also influence district heating (DH) markets where coal and natural gas remain dominant energy vectors in numerous European countries. District heating markets are distinct from other commodity markets due to their local nature and distribution requirements. Consequently, they can operate under various market models and have different price design policies depending on the country and region. With these considerations, this study aims to review and analyse the current market models and regulations of price formulation in the context of final prices in selected district heating markets. The primary objective is to conduct an in-depth analysis of the key district heating markets in Poland and compare the outcomes with the markets of neighbouring countries, including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Germany. Poland is taken as an example due to its high dependence on fossil fuels and its vulnerability to current global price fluctuations. The results indicate that Poland has one of the most regulated district heating markets, and these regulations can impact the profitability of district heating companies with high prices of fuel and carbon certificates observed in global markets. To create incentives for potential investors and incumbent companies to develop more sustainable and low-emission district heating markets in Poland – where energy transition processes are still underway – it is recommended to increase the frequency of formulation and approval of tariffs.

This study describes the correlation between emission of gaseous pollutants to the atmosphere and the combustion parameters of a coal-fired 25 MW heating capacity water boiler with mechanical grate (boiler type WR-25) in unstable working conditions: start-up, shutdown and loads below the technical minimum. Whereas measurements were made for a specific type and size of coal-fired water boiler with mechanical grate, the measurements and calculations are applicable to WR boilers with a different heating power as well as OR type steam boilers, which have a practically identical design. In sum, there are more than 1,000 coal-fired water and steam boilers of these types in Poland. In addition, the analysis reported in this paper highlights the important role played by boilers operating in unstable conditions in terms of emission of gaseous pollutants to the atmosphere. The conclusions are relevant for other boilers fi red with gas, oil or biomass operating under conditions such as start-up, shutdown and loads below the technical minimum. This article fi lls a gap in air protection engineering practice and the literature with regard to indicators and emission standards, drawing on measurements of pollutant concentrations in the exhaust gases from unstable WR boiler working conditions. The measurements can be used to assess the emission of pollutants to the atmosphere in such boiler working conditions and their impact on air quality. The analyses presented were based on the authors’ own measurements in WR-25 boiler technical installations using portable gas analyser GASMET DX-4000, which uses the FT-IR measurement method for compounds such as SO2, NOx, HCl, HF, NH3, CH4, and CO. Concentrations of CO, NOx and SO2 in exhaust gases were determined with multiple regression with the STATISTICA statistical software and with linear regression complemented by the “smart” package in the MATLAB environment. The study provides computational models to identify pollutant concentrations in the exhaust gases in any working conditions of WR-25 boilers

The paper presents a theoretical analysis of thermal energy storage filled with phase change material (PCM) that is aimed at optimization of an adsorption chiller performance in an air-conditioning system. The equations describing a lumped parameter model were used to analyze internal heat transfer in the cooling installation. Those equations result from the energy balances of the chiller, PCM thermal storage unit and heat load. The influence of the control of the heat transfer fluid flow rate and heat capacity of the system components on the whole system operation was investigated. The model was used to validate the selection of Rubitherm RT62HC as a PCM for thermal storage. It also allowed us to assess the temperature levels that are likely to appear during the operation of the system before it will be constructed.