Comparison of traditional with low temperature district heating systems based on organic Rankine cycle.

This paper compares a traditional district heating (DH) system with a low temperature DH system based on a combined heat and power (CHP) system using Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC). Both systems supply the same amount of heat, but it is shown that the system based on CHP using ORC is more effective and uses less fuel. This in turn results in less carbon dioxide emissions. The most advantageous configuration improving the real efficiency of the ultra-low temperature heating system seems to be a system combining a central heat pump and a station based on modern ORC technology which also provides an independent (off grid) electricity supply. • Analytical model of low temperature district heating supplied by CHP ORC is shown. • Electrical energy from ORC is used to supply DH pumps and heat domestic hot water. • Such DH system is more effective and it uses less fuel than traditional (3G) one. • Such DH systems emits less CO 2 and no external electricity is required. • The novelty includes also more flexible response to changing heat and cool demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]