A simulation-based method for supply temperature optimization in district heating system

Numerous district heating systems in Russian Federation are still characterized by consumers which are not equipped with an automated individual heating system. The main approach to control heat energy consumption in such systems is changing of heating plant supply temperature. With the diverse changes of pipeline network structure and changes of consumers’ thermohydraulic characteristics, on-line determination of optimal heating plant supply temperature is the pressing issue. The article is devoted to supply temperature optimization at the district heating plant using simulations. It deals with method of supply temperature optimization based on penalty functions considering indoor temperature and heat energy consumed. The authors investigate the influence of weights of concurrent economy and indoor temperature comfort estimates on simulation results of the optimization task using the specified method.