Add-on system for a low temperature thermal energy distribution network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing low-temperature thermal energy distribution networks face challenges in achieving high resilience and efficiency, particularly due to issues with geothermal, solar, and water-based supplements, which are costly or have variable energy availability, and the inefficiency of heat-force cogeneration systems in meeting demand variability.
Innovation Solution
A backup system for low-temperature remote thermal energy distribution networks incorporating a heat exchanger, heat pumps, air-liquid heat exchangers, and a measurement, control, and regulation (MCR) system, allowing for direct connection of air-liquid heat exchangers to the network when outside air temperatures are higher, and integration of a cogeneration system for enhanced efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If geothermal vertical probes are used for backup, then seasonal energy storage and recovery is enabled, but installation cost and operating temperature limitations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The backup system is divided into multiple independent heat pump units that can operate separately or in combination, allowing incremental installation and reduced initial investment while maintaining network resilience
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pump units serve multiple functions: they can operate individually, in parallel, or in combination with other backup sources (solar, geothermal), providing flexible backup capacity without requiring dedicated single-purpose infrastructure
2Ease of manufacture
If solar thermal backup is used, then cost-effectiveness improves, but energy availability becomes variable and insufficient during cold season
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges solar thermal backup with electric heat pump backup, allowing solar energy to provide base-load heating during sunny periods while heat pumps supplement during cloudy periods or cold seasons, ensuring continuous reliable operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the mix of backup sources based on real-time conditions (solar availability, outdoor temperature, network demand), optimizing cost-effectiveness while maintaining reliability across varying seasonal conditions
3Loss of energy
If heat-force cogeneration system is used, then energy efficiency improves, but ability to meet demand variability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation of heat-force cogeneration units and heat pump units based on real-time network demand and temperature requirements, allowing efficient base-load operation while rapidly responding to demand variability
Solution Approach 2:
The system operates heat-force cogeneration at optimal efficiency points for base-load heating while using additional heat pump capacity to meet peak or variable demand, accepting some excess capacity to ensure demand variability can always be met
4Reliability
If multiple backup sources are integrated, then network resilience improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into independent, modular backup units (heat pumps, solar thermal, geothermal) that can be controlled individually, simplifying the overall control architecture while maintaining high resilience through diverse backup capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors network temperature, flow rates, and backup source availability, automatically adjusting the operation of each backup unit to maintain optimal network conditions without requiring complex manual coordination
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a robust, economical, and easily controllable backup system that optimizes the coefficient of performance (COP) of the thermal energy distribution system, ensuring adequate temperatures to prevent freezing and maximizing energy efficiency by selectively activating heat pumps and using supplementary energy sources as needed.
Implementation Method 1
one or more heat pumps thermally coupled to the anergy network via said heat exchanger, one or more air-liquid heat exchangers thermally coupled to the outside air
Implementation Method 2
A backup system for a low temperature remote thermal energy distribution network (anergy network) comprises a heat exchanger (10a)
Implementation Method 3
one or more air-liquid heat exchangers (6) thermally coupled to the outside air
Implementation Method 4
a hydraulic network (8) interconnecting the heat pumps (5) to the heat exchanger (10a) of the anergy network (2)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~4b
AI summary
Disclosed is a back-up system (4) for a remote low-temperature thermal energy distribution network (anergy network) (2) connected to user thermal installations, comprising one or more heat pumps (5) thermally coupled to the anergy network via a heat exchanger (10a), one or more air/liquid heat exchangers (6) thermally coupled to the outside air, and a hydraulic network (8) interconnecting the heat pumps (5) to the heat exchanger (10a) of the anergy network (2), at least one of the heat pumps being a liquid/air heat pump fluidically connected by the hydraulic network (8) to at least one of the air/liquid heat exchangers (6). The back-up system further comprises a measurement, control and regulation system (MCR) (13). The hydraulic network comprises valves controlled by the MCR system (13) and a hydraulic circuit configured to allow the air/liquid heat exchangers (6) to be directly connected to the heat exchanger (10a) of the anergy network (2).