Evaluation of energy effects of the heat distribution network modernization

West-Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, Department of Heat Engineering, al. Piastów 17, PL-70-310 Szczecin, Poland

^* Corresponding author: aleksander.stachel@zut.edu.pl

Abstract

The work concerns the estimation of energy effects of modernization of a part of an existing heat distribution main, which is part of a system that supplies heat for heating and domestic hot water preparation. The energy effect was defined as the difference between heat losses in the installation previously operated, developed in the technology of traditionally insulated pipes placed in dedicated underground channels and newly built installations made of pre-insulated pipes located directly in the ground. In the paper, in a synthetic way, the method of calculation is presented, as well as the accompanying assumptions. Two basic approaches to determine the heat losses are discussed. The first one was based on detailed calculations based on real operational data, whereas the second one used the indicative method recommended by the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW). The results obtained on this basis show that the modernization of the installation returns measurable energy effects in the form of reduced heat losses, which translates into the efficiency of its operation and operation of the source. At the same time, they show that the size of obtained energy effect depends on the applied methodology of calculations.