Assessment of thermal performance and surface moisture risk for a rear-ventilated cladding system for façade renovation

Ventilated façade systems, incorporating thermal insulation behind a rear-ventilated cladding, constitute a popular renovation solution in warm European climates. For compliance with building regulations, their energy efficiency is usually obtained through simple onedimensional desktop calculations, which do not consider the impact of the support elements of the cladding penetrating the thermal insulation. This study assesses a ventilated façade system anchored over a solid concrete wall with adjustable stainless steel brackets. One-dimensional calculations are compared against three-dimensional numerical thermal modelling, evaluating the effect of insulation thickness (40–100 mm) and potential gaps in the insulation around anchors. Results indicate low risk of condensation and mould growth over internal surfaces. The additional heat flow induced by stainless steel anchors, which is not considered by simplified calculations, appears lower than for aluminium-based systems but can become significant as insulation levels increase. Ensuring the continuity of insulation around anchors is critical for keeping this additional heat flow at reasonable levels (8–13%). If gaps in the insulation are present around anchors, the additional heat flow increases substantially (25–70%) and pushes effective U-values above 0.4 W/m²K, thus resulting in unforeseen energy consumption and noncompliance with regulatory requirements in many European locations.This study has been partly developed within the InnoWEE research project. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 723916. The present paper reflects only the authors’ views and neither the Agency nor the Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein

Integrated model concept for district energy management optimisation platforms

District heating systems play a key role in reducing the aggregated heating and domestic hot water production energy consumption of European building stock. However, the operational strategies of these systems present further optimisation potential, as most of them are still operated according to reactive control strategies. To fully exploit the optimisation potential of these systems, their operations should instead be based on model predictive control strategies implemented through dedicated district energy management platforms. This paper describes a multiscale and multidomain integrated district model concept conceived to serve as the basis of an energy prediction engine for the district energy management platform developed in the framework of the MOEEBIUS project. The integrated district model is produced by taking advantage of co-simulation techniques to couple building (EnergyPlus) and district heating system (Modelica) physics-based models, while exploiting the potential provided by the functional mock-up interface standard. The district demand side is modelled through the combined use of physical building models and data-driven models developed through supervised machine learning techniques. Additionally, district production-side infrastructure modelling is simplified through a new Modelica library designed to allow a subsystem-based district model composition, reducing the time required for model development. The integrated district model and new Modelica library are successfully tested in the Stepa Stepanovic subnetwork of the city of Belgrade, demonstrating their capacity for evaluating the energy savings potential available in existing district heating systems, with a reduction of up to 21% of the aggregated subnetwork energy input and peak load reduction of 24.6%.The research activities leading to the described developments and results, were funded by the European Uniońs Horizon 2020 MOEEBIUS project, under grant agreement No 680517. Authors would like to ex-press their gratitude to the operator of the Vozdovac district heating system (Beogradske elektrane) for the specifications used to develop and calibrate the models, and to Solintel M&P, SL for developing the initial versions of the EnergyPlus models (including only the geometrical and constructive definition of the buildings), in the framework of the MOEEBIUS project

Energy meters in District-Heating Substations for Heat Consumption Characterization and Prediction Using Machine-Learning Techniques

The use of smart energy meters enables the monitoring of large quantity of data related to heat consumption patterns in buildings connected to DH networks. This information can be used to understand the interaction between building and the final users´ without accurate information about building characteristics and occupational rates. In this paper an intuitive and clarifier data-driven model is presented, which couples heat demand and weather variables. This model enables the disaggregation of Space-Heating & Domestic Hot water demand, characterization of the total heat demand and the forecasting for the next hours. Simulations for 53 building have been carried out, with satisfactory results for most of them, reaching R2 values above 0.9 in some of them.This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 768567

District Heating De-Carbonisation in Belgrade. Multi-Year transition plan

A large share of the city of Belgrade is heated by a District Heating network. Established in 1965, the network delivers 3.6 TWh to more than 20 million square meters of households industries and businesses, by means of a 1460km-long network. The system has been continuously upgraded and adapted to new technologies and already operates at relatively low temperature, with modernized substations. However, the delivered heat is still produced mainly by means of carbon intensive technologies. Conscious of the need to de-carbonise the city, a multi-year transition plan was established, where large investments have been secured, comprising greater interconnection levels, installation of large solar thermal plants and waste incineration plants, and the conversion of a power plant into CHP, among others. In this paper, the criteria for the selection of the technologies, the identification of enabling investments, interaction with stakeholders, securing of financing, and status of the plan are presented. After the execution of the de-carbonisation roadmap, it is expected that the DH system will reduce its carbon intensity by 50%

Lessons Learnt from Substation Inspection on Low Temperature District Heating Networks

District heating networks are considered to be a key element for the decarbonization of Europe. The RELaTED project seeks to contribute to the decarbonization of these infrastructures with the demonstration of low temperature district heating networks. One of the demonstration sites consists of more than 50 substations within a subsection of a larger network in the city of Tartu (Estonia), where the temperature was lowered by 10 ◦C. To ensure the benefits of this new generation district heating network and the fulfillment of comfort requirements, data have been monitored and analyzed at the substation level in an automatic way to facilitate the inspection of every user.This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No. 768567. This publication only reflects the authors’ views, and neither the Agency nor the Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained herein

Data-driven assessment for the supervision of District Heating Networks

There is an ongoing trend towards temperature reduction in District Heating Networks, allowing for the reduction of distribution heat loss and enabling the integration of low exergy heat production systems. There is a clear scientific consensus on the improved sustainability of such systems. However, there is not sufficient knowledge on how to deliver a successful transition to a low temperature District Heating system, while ensuring the operational levels of the existing system. This paper presents the experience on the progressive temperature reduction of a district heating subnetwork over the 2018–2021 period in Tartu, Estonia. Data from heat meters is extensively used to assess the capacity of substations and network branches to deliver the required heat and quality levels. Faulty substations are identified for targeted assessment and improvement works. Several substations have been identified as missing some of the performance criteria. This has led to further analysis, closer supervision and interventions in the operational conditions of the network. This is an ongoing process, expected to remain in the established procedures of the DH network operator. At the end of the process, a temperature reduction of 7 ºC has shown an improvement of 4.8% in network heat loss.This study has been carried out in the context of RELaTED project. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 768567

RELaTED Project: New Developments on Ultra-Low Temperature District Heating Networks

District heating networks deliver around 13% of the heating energy in the EU, being considered as a key element of the progressive decarbonization of Europe. The H2020 REnewable Low TEmperature District project (RELaTED) seeks to contribute to the energy decarbonization of these infrastructures through the development and demonstration of the following concepts: reduction in network temperature down to 50 °C, integration of renewable energies and waste heat sources with a novel substation concept, and improvement on building-integrated solar thermal systems. The coupling of renewable thermal sources with ultra-low temperature district heating (DH) allows for a bidirectional energy flow, using the DH as both thermal storage in periods of production surplus and a back-up heating source during consumption peaks. The ultra-low temperature enables the integration of a wide range of energy sources such as waste heat from industry. Furthermore, RELaTED also develops concepts concerning district heating-connected reversible heat pump systems that allow to reach adequate thermal levels for domestic hot water as well as the use of the network for district cooling with high performance. These developments will be demonstrated in four locations: Estonia, Serbia, Denmark, and Spain.This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 768567. This publication reflects only the authors’ views and neither the Agency nor the Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein

Integration of Renewables in DHC for Sustainable Living Workshop

There is a large potential to integrate substantial shares of renewable energy and waste heat sources in district heating and/or cooling networks (DHC), reducing dependency of DHC on fossil fuels and ultimately leading to a more efficient and sustainable energy system. Several EU funded projects are currently working on this topic. The objective of the workshop aimed to share the WEDISTRICT project concept with other sister projects and interested stakeholders in order to exchange new ideas, lessons learnt from implementation and proposals about the successful integration of renewable technologies in DHC and urban regeneration.These projects have received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (WEDISTRICT—GA No 857801; REWARDHeat—GA No 857811; RELaTED—GA No 768567; TEMPO—GA No 768936; MAtchUP—GA No 774477; DRIMPAC—GA No 768559; REMOURBAN—GA No 646511; REPLICATE—GA No 691735). This publication reflects only the authors’ views and neither the Agency nor the Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein

Energy Performance Assessment of Innovative Building Solutions Coming from Construction and Demolition Waste Materials

Prefabricated solutions incorporating thermal insulation are increasingly adopted as an energy conservation measure for building renovation. The InnoWEE European project developed three technologies from Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) materials through a manufacturing process that supports the circular economy strategy of the European Union. Two of them consisted of geopolymer panels incorporated into an External Thermal Insulation Composite System (ETICS) and a ventilated façade. This study evaluates their thermal performance by means of monitoring data from three pilot case studies in Greece, Italy, and Romania, and calibrated building simulation models enabling the reliable prediction of energy savings in different climates and use scenarios. Results showed a reduction in energy demand for all demo buildings, with annual energy savings up to 25% after placing the novel insulation solutions. However, savings are highly dependent on weather conditions since the panels affect cooling and heating loads differently. Finally, a parametric assessment is performed to assess the impact of insulation thickness through an energy performance prediction and a cash flow analysis.This research was funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No. 723916 (Project H2020-EEB-2016 InnoWEE, G.A. 723916). This study reflects only the authors’ views and the Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therei

Lessons Learnt from Substation Inspection on Low Temperature District Heating Networks

District heating networks are considered to be a key element for the decarbonization of Europe. The RELaTED project seeks to contribute to the decarbonization of these infrastructures with the demonstration of low temperature district heating networks. One of the demonstration sites consists of more than 50 substations within a subsection of a larger network in the city of Tartu (Estonia), where the temperature was lowered by 10 °C. To ensure the benefits of this new generation district heating network and the fulfillment of comfort requirements, data have been monitored and analyzed at the substation level in an automatic way to facilitate the inspection of every user