Create the network and size the pipes

District heating network, part 1: create a heat network and perform the pipe sizing

Overview ▶ 0:09

VICUS Districts with imported OpenStreetMap section as the basis for the district heating network — Starting point: imported OpenStreetMap section as the basis for network planning

This tutorial demonstrates how to create a district heating network in VICUS Districts. In the first step, consumers are generated from OpenStreetMap data, a pipe network is drawn, the consumers and the energy plant are connected, and pipe sizing is performed.

As preparation, an OpenStreetMap section has already been imported into VICUS Districts. If this has not yet been done, it can be done via Import > OpenStreetMap by choosing a map section, which is then downloaded and displayed automatically.

Creating consumers ▶ 0:47

Selection of buildings from OpenStreetMap data to create consumers — Creation of consumers from OpenStreetMap buildings with selection window and building energy standard

In the first step, the consumers to be connected to the network are determined:

Select buildings directly on the map and switch to the OpenStreetMap to consumer mode.
Holding down the Ctrl key, drag a selection window from top left to bottom right to select multiple buildings at once.
Deselect small buildings if necessary. The addresses are displayed.
Choose the building energy standard or leave the predefined settings.
Click Next — gross and net floor area, connection load, and heating energy demand are displayed here.
Click Create consumers to create the consumers. The consumers are displayed as points.

Drawing the heat network ▶ 2:01

Drawing the heat network in 2D mode along the street — Drawing the pipe network in 2D mode by clicking the route along the street

In the next step, the heat network is drawn. It is advisable to switch to 2D mode for this:

Click on Pipe network and click along the street. Each left mouse click sets a new point in the network.
Confirm the polyline with Enter and select Create pipe network.

Drawing the energy plant ▶ 2:45

Placing the energy plant at the desired position — Placing and creating the energy plant at the planned position in the network

Click Create energy plant and place the energy plant at the desired position.
Confirm with Enter and create the energy plant.

Connecting the network ▶ 3:03

Network parameterization mode with automatic connection of all consumers and the energy plant — Automatic connection of all consumers and the energy plant in network parameterization mode

After switching to network parameterization mode, various algorithms are available for topology editing:

Connect all consumers — this also automatically connects the energy plant, and open ends are removed.
Query elevations — the elevations are set automatically via a server interface. In 3D mode you can verify the correct three-dimensional positioning.

Building demand and connection loads ▶ 3:42

Display of the connection loads with detailed information on heating load and heating energy demand

On the Building demand tab, the connection loads are displayed. When selecting a consumer, detailed information is shown, including heating load, heating energy demand, and the associated dynamic profile. Press Escape to deselect the consumer again.

Performing the pipe sizing ▶ 4:10

Pipe sizing dialog with supply temperature, spread, and pipe selection — Pipe sizing: supply temperature, 20 K spread, pipe selection, and simultaneity function

The pipe network sizing is performed in pipe mode:

Click Size pipes.
Set supply temperature and temperature spread (e.g. 20 Kelvin).
Make a pre-selection of pipes from the database — use the checkboxes on the left to select the desired pipes.
Optionally, apply the simultaneity function and edit a specific function.
Configure additional settings for the pipe fittings.
Perform pipe sizing — e.g. with a maximum pressure loss of 100 pascal per meter and the selected spread.

Editing pipes manually ▶ 5:14

Manual adjustment of the pipe sizing by assigning different pipes — Manual adjustment: select a route section and assign a different pipe from the database

The automatic sizing can also be adjusted manually. Select a route section and assign a different pipe from the database. This also works for multiple pipes at once.

Displaying pipe fittings ▶ 5:36

Pipe fitting properties with bends and tees visualized in the network — Visualization of the pipe fittings: bends and tees with detailed information per node

In Pipe fitting properties mode, the calculated fittings are displayed — bends and tees are visualized accordingly. Clicking on a node shows detailed information on the associated fittings.

Locking the sizing ▶ 6:04

Locked sizing for network sections of an existing network — Locking the sizing for selected network sections (e.g. for existing networks)

Sections of the network can be locked from sizing — for example, in an existing network:

Select part of the network with the Ctrl key.
Tick the Lock sizing checkbox.
Under Locked objects, it is visualized which sections have a fixed sizing.

Bill of materials ▶ 6:42

Bill of materials with a summary of all pipes and fittings by dimension — Bill of materials: overview of all pipes and fittings, grouped by dimension and type

Under Results > Bill of materials, a summary of all pipes in the network is shown, grouped by dimension, as well as all fittings — grouped by dimension and type. Alternatively, an individual display can be activated that lists each individual route section or node in the network.