Software Solution »AD-Net District Heating« – Dynamic Simulation for the Networks of Tomorrow

The dynamic simulation of the district heating network has enormous advantages: The network operator can use the software to read out both the temperature and the flow conditions at any point in the district heating network at any time. In this way, he regulates the flow temperature provided at the power plant and the mass flow pumped into the network and thus prevents, for example, gas boilers from having to be switched on at high cost to produce heat.

Mathematics Behind the Software Creates Digital Twin

Classical methods for solving the fluctuating thermohydraulic equations are too inaccurate or costly to provide control proposals in live operation of the district heating network. 

For this reason, we have developed our own efficient numerical method for solving the equations on the pipeline network for »AD-Net District Heating«, which can handle optimization horizons of several days. Based on the software, we create a digital twin of real existing district heating networks. This couples efficient dynamic flow simulation with robust consumption forecasting using artificial neural networks, model predictive control and modern measurement sensor technology. Thanks to the model-based approach, the Digital Twin is able to propose optimal controls for live operation even with low sensor coverage, significantly exceeding the wealth of experience in previous control routines and consumption situations. Given the decentralization of feed-in points and the constant expansion of the grid, this capability is more important than ever.

Furthermore, our »AD-Net District Heating« software offers enormous potential for network expansion planning. By using a model of the network and the underlying thermal-hydraulic equations, we can analyze future expansion scenarios in detail even before measured values from operation are available, in contrast to purely data-driven analyses. Utilities can thus make well-founded decisions at an early stage and use resources optimally.

Technical Information About the Software »AD-Net District Heating« 

• »AD-Net District Heating« is platform-independent and can be used under Windows, Mac or Linux.
• The control of the software as well as the visualization of results is realized via a specially programmed user interface. The software itself consists of a C++ computational core and a Python interface.
• »AD-Net District Heating« has an automated STANET import for network topologies, also the import of a GIS network model is possible.
  

Cooperations

The software tool has been developed jointly with GEF Ingenieur AG and Technische Werke Ludwigshafen since 2015.