OPTIMISATION AND CONTROL OF SUPPLY TEMPERATURES IN DISTRICT HEATING NETWORKS.

Because of high global efficiencies, the optimal control of district heating networks is a crucial point for Energy Industries. However, such systems are modelled by non linear algebraic systems (mass flows computation) and partial differential equations (thermal energy propagation). Thus, direct optimisation is a priori highly intractable. In this paper, a new approach for network control, based on predictive control and optimization results, is presented. This closed loop control aims to be robust against load prediction errors. The approach leads to satisfying behaviours with low computation times. It is validated on a benchmark network designed with ‘Electricité de France’. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]