IEA DHC Annex TS9: Digitalisation of District Heating and Cooling – Improving Efficiency and Performance Through Data Integration

To successfully digitalize district heating and cooling (DHC), it is important to understand the benefits of incorporating digital processes into DHC networks. The purpose of this project is to investigate solutions for data transfer and processing between the components of DHC networks, with a focus on interoperability and standardization. Furthermore, non-technical hurdles and enablers to digitization processes in the DHC sector are assessed.

Short Description

Goals

The successful digitization of thermal networks for district heating and cooling (DHC) will be a significant contribution to the heat transition. The use of digital processes in the operation of DHC networks opens up potentials for the efficient and effective use of available resources, e.g. by enabling new operational strategies for the use of volatile heat sources.

The IEA DHC Annex TS9 provides a framework for the exchange of results from international initiatives and national research projects on the topic of digitization of DHC. A focus is placed on the processing and evaluation of technical and legal obstacles, especially with regard to security and data protection in connection with the exchange of data between different applications, databases and data processing platforms. The aim is to support the further development of solutions for seamless integration and interoperability between different components and systems as well as the necessary standardized data models, protocols and interfaces.

A key national contribution is the topic of "data spaces", which is to be further investigated for the DHC domain.

The IEA DHC Annex TS8 deals with the following contents in 5 subtasks:

Subtask A: Digital Infrastructure
Subtask B: Application Interface
Subtask C: Management and Roadmap to Digitalization
Subtask D: Dissemination and Reporting

Expected results

Evaluation of a comprehensive digital infrastructure complemented by an ontology-based framework to modernize DHC systems, addressing the challenges of existing systems and enable efficient data management, analysis and governance
Assessment of standardized interfaces and interoperability mechanisms to facilitate smooth integration and interaction between different components and systems within DHC networks, enabling efficient data exchange, control and collaboration
Assessment of the digitalization roadmap in different DHC systems, incorporating sustainable business models and sound data policies
Investigation of how to best support the deployment and operation of systems and promote long-term profitability and efficiency
Dissemination of project results, findings and best practices to a wide range of stakeholders, including industry professionals, policy makers, researchers and the general public, to promote awareness, knowledge sharing and adoption of innovative digitalization approaches in the DHC industry

Participants

Belgium, Denmark (Operating Agent), Germany, France, Austria, Sweden, South Korea

Contact Address

Project leader

Edmund Widl
AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH
Giefinggasse 4, 1210 Wien
E-Mail: edmund.widl@ait.ac.at

Project partners

Markus Gölles
BEST – Bioenergy and Sustainable Technologies GmbH
Inffeldgasse 21b, 8010 Graz
E-Mail: markus.goelles@best-research.eu
Ingo Leusbrock
AEE – Institut für Nachhaltige Technologien
Feldgasse 19, 8200 Gleisdorf
E-Mail: i.leusbrock@aee.at