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IEA DHC Annex TS4: Digitalisation of District Heating and Cooling

The aim of the IEA DHC Annex TS4 is to identify the possibilities of digitalization and the integration of digital process for district heating and cooling. To this end, the Annex TS4 establishes a platform for industrial and scientific experts to strengthen international cooperation and networking and the exchange of experience of national research and development activities.

Short Description

Background

In the context of the Austrian climate and energy strategies, digitization is attributed a key function for decentralization, flexibilization and efficient use of energy and mobility. While there are already various digitization activities in the electricity sector, digialization in the district heating sector is still in its infancy. However, the current transition towards decentralised heating networks with very high shares of renewable energies and waste heat requires a higher data demand, an interaction with the customer and a dynamic approach, which means that the use of digital analysis and optimisation methods represents a significant added value. At the same time, challenges such as related business models, data security and data protection as well as questions of data ownership must be addressed.

Aims

The aim of the IEA DHC Annex TS4 is to identify the possibilities of digitalisation for the operation (and maintenance) of district heating and cooling systems and to optimise the integration of digital processes. This includes the presentation of the current state of the art, raising awareness of the benefits of implementing digital processes, evaluating non-technical barriers, such as legal and regulatory aspects, developing innovative business models and elaborating objectives, targets and recommendations. The IEA DHC Annex TS4 is divided into subtasks related to the End-Use, infrastructure (digital twins), system level and business processes. Further on, various dissemination activities have been done.

The aim of Austria's participation in IEA DHC Annex TS4 was to contribute national developments and activities in relevant areas, particularly at the system level with regard to optimising operation, business models for reducing return temperatures and integrating heat pumps. Another focus was the management of the subtask on the digitalisation of infrastructure/digital twins. Furthermore, important key players in Austria such as solution providers and heating network operators were involved.

Results

The primary result of the Annex is a guidebook summarising the results of the subtasks and placing the national activities in an international context. Furthermore, it is planned to prepare short summaries for decision makers. The results of the Annex have been disseminated in different ways, including

  • lectures and social media
  • Professional articles and presentations at national and international events
  • Organisation of a national workshop and national summaries.

Project Images

Terms of use: The pictures listed underneath the header “Project Pictures” originate from the projects in the frame of the programmes City of Tomorrow, Building of Tomorrow and the IEA Research Cooperation. They may be used credited for non-commercial purposes under the Creative Commons License Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC).

Participants

Belgium, Denmark, Germany (lead), France, Norway, Austria, South Korea, Sweden, United Kingdom

Contact Address

Project leader

Edmund Widl
AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH
E-Mail: Edmund.Widl@ait.ac.at

Project partners