Cold District Heating

5GDHC networks, dimensioning and prosumer concepts

Cold district heating networks (5GDHC) operate at a low temperature close to ambient and tap ambient, waste and solar heat decentrally via heat pumps. They enable bidirectional exchange between consumers and producers – the prosumer principle. This topic area covers the fundamentals, dimensioning and prosumer concepts of cold networks.

4 articles in this category

Low-Temperature District Heating: Fundamentals

Cold district heating (5GDHC) explained: operating principle, heat sources, decentralized heat pumps and network hydraulics of 5th-generation networks.

Dimensioning 5GDHC Networks

5GDHC simulation and dimensioning of cold district heating networks: passive vs. active networks, pressure-loss criteria and ground coupling.

Prosumers in District Heating Networks

How do prosumer concepts work in district heating networks? Heat feed-in, bidirectional networks and operating models

Cold District Heating (5GDHC): Pros & Cons

Advantages and disadvantages of cold district heating (5GDHC): under 3 % heat losses and free cooling versus decentralized heat pumps and more complex planning.

Other topics

Building Simulation Dynamic simulation, summer heat protection, BIM and comfort analysis
Heat Generation Heat load demand, generation concepts, energy storage and efficiency
Network Design Pipe dimensioning, loss calculation, network temperatures and heat density
Network Hydraulics Pressurization, pressure profiles, operating modes and control
Heat Network Simulation Thermo-hydraulic network simulation, solver technology and numerical methods
Piping Technology Pipe systems, network structure, laying methods and thermal expansion
Plant Engineering Transfer stations, pumps, heating curves, hydraulic balancing and domestic hot water
Planning Supply area, planning phases and project workflow
Economics Economic analysis, funding, tariff design and contracts
Operations Optimization Return temperature, temperature reduction, monitoring and digital twin
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