D7.6: Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping

HYPERGRYD. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101036656 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE WP7 – Exploitation and sustainability business model Task 7.4 Best practice and road-mapping toward the 5th DHN generation and Smart Hybrid grids D7.6 Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping Ref. Ares(2025)3607516 - 05/05/2025 D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 2 DISCLAIMER The opinion stated in this report reflects the opinion of the authors and not the opinion of the European Commission. All intellectual property rights are owned by HYPERGRYD consortium members and are protected by the applicable laws. Reproduction is not authorised without prior written agreement. The commercial use of any information contained in this document may require a license from the owner of that information. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement Nº 101036656. D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 3 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE Project Project Acronym HYPERGRYD Project Title Hybrid coupled networks for thermal-electric integrated Smart Energy Districts Grant Agreement number 101036656 Call identifier H2020-LC-GD-2020 Topic identifier LC-GD-2-1-2020 Innovative land-based and offshore renewable energy technologies and their integration into the energy system Funding Scheme Research and Innovation Action Project duration 42 months (From 1 October 2021) Coordinator ARCbcn Website http://hypergryd.eu Deliverable Deliverable No. 7.6 Deliverable title Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping Description This task analyses the strategic roadmap toward the smart district deployment that leverages the 4th and 5th generation of district heating networks as energy distribution grids. The path analysis toward the HYPERGRYD implementation in a smart district is conducted to identify the need for additional technical resources, multi-vector energy management systems, capital and means to attain scalability at TRL9 by licensing, partnering, joint venture and creation of new ventures. Starting with a review of the current European smart district context characterized by Smart Hybrid Grids management at district level, the most relevant applications of HYPERGRYD technologies are studied. At the same time T7.4 aligned closely with the T1.3 and the regulation context outcomes, to produce inputs and suggestions for an advanced regulation for a more efficient 4th and 5th DHN generation. The task entailed the following activities: • Analysis of the relevant European smart districts case studies and the DHN solutions whit RES integrations (reference for optimal scenarios for the technology assessment and transition to the 4th/5th DHN generation). • Analysis of RES penetration at district level, with evaluation of the improvement due to the HYPERGRYD platform. • Identification of the main strategy for reduction of risks due to the technological weakness and the lack of legislation. • Definition of potential solutions for lack of legislation for the future scenarios. The result of this analysis is the Technology and commercialization roadmap of the HYPERGRYD solution towards TRL9.ich will consider the analysis of the listed bullets WP No. WP7 Related task T7.4 – Best Practice and road-mapping toward the 5th DHN generation and Smart Hybrid grids Lead Beneficiary 13-R2M Author(s) Fabio Calzia, Federico Donato, Matteo Porta (RINA-C) Contributor(s) AIT, ENCO, GET, GSY, IDP, IMP, KTH, OCHS, RANO, SOR Type R Dissemination PU Public Language English – GB Due 31/01/2025 Submission date 14/04/2025 D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 4 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE Version Date Authors Description V.1.0 31/03/2025 Fabio Calzia, Federico Donato – RINA-C Version for internal review (to be approved by technical coordination) V.1.1 09/04/2025 ARCbcn, R2M, GSY, ENVIPARK Proof reading and minor revisions V.2.0 14/04/2025 Fabio Calzia, Federico Donato – RINA-C Final draft D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 5 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE Table of Contents 1 Executive Summary ............................................................................................... 8 2 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 9 2.1 Scope ......................................................................................................................... 9 2.2 Audience ................................................................................................................... 9 2.3 Abbreviations ............................................................................................................ 9 2.4 Contributions of partners ......................................................................................... 9 2.5 Relation to other activities ..................................................................................... 10 2.6 Structure ................................................................................................................. 10 3 Relevant case studies of 4th and 5th generation DHNs implementations ................. 12 4 Considerations on the regulatory framework and impact of different HYPERGRYD relevant technologies on DHNs ...................................................................................... 17 4.1 Overview of DHN regulatory framework in Europe ............................................... 17 4.1.1 Ownership and operation of DH network ....................................................................... 18 4.1.2 Prices for consumers ....................................................................................................... 18 4.1.3 Metering of heat consumption ....................................................................................... 19 4.1.4 Consumer grid connection and usage ............................................................................. 19 4.1.5 Third party access in networks ........................................................................................ 19 4.1.6 Support measures and carbon taxes ............................................................................... 20 4.2 Impact of different HYPERGRYD relevant technologies on DHNs .......................... 20 4.2.1 ER1: Sorption Thermal Energy Storage [CNR, SOR] ......................................................... 20 4.2.2 ER2: Modular Heat Pump with short-term PCM storage [OCHSNER] ............................. 21 4.2.3 ER3: WPW (Water-PCM-Water) Heat exchanger [AIT] ................................................... 21 4.2.4 ER4: Reversible micro-CHP with Steam Engine and Steam Buffer [RANO] ..................... 22 5 Main development and implementation problems ............................................... 23 5.1 Development problems .......................................................................................... 23 5.2 Implementation problems ...................................................................................... 24 5.3 Integration of low heat sources .............................................................................. 25 6 DHNs’ digital support tools to enhance 4th and 5th generation development and implementation ............................................................................................................. 26 6.1 Management & Control platforms ......................................................................... 26 6.2 Simulation tools ...................................................................................................... 27 7 Impacts on environmental targets ........................................................................ 29 D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 6 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE 8 Conclusions .......................................................................................................... 30 9 References ........................................................................................................... 32 10 Appendices ........................................................................................................... 33 10.1 Appendix 1: DHN road-mapping questionnaires .................................................... 33 ER 2: Modular Heat Pump with short-term PCM storage – OCHS ................................................ 33 ER 3: WPW (water-PCM-Water) heat exchanger – AIT ................................................................. 35 ER 1: Sorption Thermal Energy Storage – SOR (CNR) .................................................................... 37 ER 4: Reversible micro-CHP with Steam Engine and Steam Buffer – RANO ................................. 40 ER 5 & ER 6 – IDP ........................................................................................................................... 42 ER 13: Edge IoT tool for the optimal operation of heat pumps within a local energy network – KTH ....................................................................................................................................................... 44 ER 8: Exergoeconomic optimization tool for 4th and 5th generation of DHC – GET ....................... 47 ER 7: SAInt - Scenario Analysis Interface for Energy Systems – ENCO .......................................... 50 ER 9 & ER 10 – GSY ........................................................................................................................ 53 D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 7 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE List of Figures Figure 1 - Share of District Heating in energy sources to meet heat demands from the residential and service sectors (2021) (1) .................................................................................................................... 12 Figure 2 - Networks evolution towards 4GDHCN and 5GDHCN (2) .................................................... 13 Figure 3 - 5GDHCN share by country (3) ............................................................................................. 14 Figure 4 - 5GDHCN share by source (3) ............................................................................................... 15 Figure 5 - Map of the clusters (i.e. the five distinguishable policy frameworks) (6) ........................... 18 List of Tables Table 1 Exploitable Results (ERs) and responsible Partners................................................................ 10 D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 8 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE 1 Executive Summary The purpose of this deliverable in short is to analyse relevant European smart districts case studies and the DHN solutions with RES integrations, to analyse the RES penetration at district level, to identify the main strategy for reduction of risks due to the technological weakness and the lack of legislation, and to define potential solutions for the future scenarios. Concerning the regulatory framework, the key finding from a round of interviews with project’s partners consisted of a strong lack of a comprehensive policy framework addressing and enabling large-scale implementation of technically and economically efficient DHNs for sustainable heat supply. From a literature analysis, main regulatory issues when dealing with district heating and cooling networks were identified and described, also providing examples for existing DHNs across Europe. Then, the impact of project’s outcomes was evaluated by considering the main development and implementation problems that partners faced off during the project. Issues related to the procurement phase and the manufacturing of specific technologies, economic factors and lack of personnel were identified as common development problems, while legal obstacles, authorizations and costs to connect new generation infrastructures to existing local grids and technical limitations were identified as the most significant for the development of the Exploitable Results. Finally, a qualitative assessment of the impact of project outcomes from an environmental point of view was carried out: in short, the key technologies that were developed during the project demonstrated strong benefits on the environmental targets, from the reduction of fuel consumption to a more effective monitoring of the single systems and the whole network. On behalf of Authors, Federico Donato, Fabio Calzia, Matteo Porta (RINA-C) D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 9 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE 2 Introduction 2.1 Scope The activities described in this deliverable have been carried out in Task 7.4. The objective of this task is to analyse the current DHN framework in terms of relevant European smart district case studies and DHN solutions with RES integration, RES penetration with improvement given by the HYPERGRYD platform, identification of the main implementation problems and mitigation strategies for reduction of risks due to technological issues and lack of legislation. 2.2 Audience This deliverable is intended for a large audience of technical professionals, including professors, technical professionals, policymakers, and other stakeholders who play a role in the development and management of DHNs and smart districts. It aims to provide comprehensive insights and practical solutions to advance the modernization and integration of Renewable Energy Sources in these systems. 2.3 Abbreviations • 4GDHN: 4th Generation District Heating Network • 5GDHN: 5th Generation District Heating Network • CHP: Combined Heat and Power • DH: District Heating • DHN: District Heating Network • DHCN: District Heating and Cooling Network • DHW: Domestic Hot Water • HEX: Heat Exchanger • LEC: Local Energy Communities • LiL: Live-in Lab • PCM: Phase Change Material • RES: Renewable Energy Sources • TPA: Third-Party Access • WPW: Water-PCM-Water 2.4 Contributions of partners Partners have been involved to provide technical insights and information about their technologies developed during HYPERGRYD project and how these could impact DHNs when fully implemented. Partners have been involved with questionnaires and interviews to better understand the D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 16 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE Regarding the storage, KEZO has an integrated system of 15 kW Vanadium Redox Flow Battery with 100 kWh, 24 kW of lithium-ion LFP with 24 kWth, a 16-kW lead-acid ALC with 24 kWh and 8kW GEL Lead Acid with 32 kWh. Batteries are AC-connected through an inverter. Due to the innovative nature of these technologies, many studies have been carried out in last years as (4), which presents a comparative analysis of renewable energy community designs for district heating networks, focusing on a case study in Corticella, Italy. This case study aimed to evaluate the potential of energy communities in enhancing energy-economic performance through improved energy sharing and the integration of renewable sources such as DHN and RES (in particular, PV panels), emphasizing the role of energy communities in promoting self-consumption and sustainability by utilizing locally generated renewable energy, and providing relevant materials for future discussions to the European directives that support the establishment of renewable energy communities (RECs) and citizen energy communities (CECs), highlighting their significance in the energy transition. For the transition to 4G and 5GDHNs, many studies are carried out to identify solutions able to integrate low-heat sources in existing networks, enabling the transitions to these more sustainable networks. As reported in (5), some solutions exist and should be studied more deeply, as the integration of sub-LTDHNs into the return flow of existing DHNs through the “energy cascade” solution: it has been observed that it optimises efficiency and enhances system performance, improving scalability and robustness even in complex networks. However, technical barriers also exist for the implementation of energy cascades, such as the need of suitable locations to install these systems, the low return temperature, or hydraulic issues. Anyway, the technical barriers could be solved adding more complexity to the overall network, but energy cascades could be a good contribution to the transition to 4G and 5GDHNs. D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 17 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE 4 Considerations on the regulatory framework and impact of different HYPERGRYD relevant technologies on DHNs To help in the impact assessment of the different HYPERGRYD technologies on DHNs, a dedicated questionnaire was elaborated and shared with partners. The template of this questionnaire is reported in the Appendices section (Appendix 1) of the present report, while in the following paragraph, the key findings resulting from this survey are described for each physical technology. On top of this impact analysis, the first paragraph contains a brief overview of the current regulatory framework for District Heating and Cooling Networks: the considerations were retrieved mainly from literature, while some considerations were drawn from interviews with the partners of the HYPERGRYD project. 4.1 Overview of DHN regulatory framework in Europe As stated in (6), the current political frameworks of District Heating in many European countries still offer few incentives to address existing challenges, and also the existing literature pays little attention to a comprehensive policy framework addressing barriers and enabling large scale implementation of technically and economically efficient DH networks for sustainable heat supply. This consideration was also the main conclusion that was drawn from the interviews that were conducted with partners during this task. To overcome this barrier, the data collection in (6) was first based on relevant regulatory issues and in-depth literature analyses were carried out for each issue, while the remaining gaps were filled by means of an extensive online survey campaign and interviews with national DH experts. This overview focuses on the regulatory issues that usually are the essential part of the policy framework for DH: - Ownership and operation of DH networks. - Heat sale prices for consumers. - Metering of heat consumption. - Consumer grid connection and usage. - Third-Party Access. - Support measures for DH and national carbon taxes. In Figure 5, the results of a clustering analysis that was carried out in (6) is presented to help in identifying the current situation for DH networks across Europe. D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 18 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE Figure 5 - Map of the clusters (i.e. the five distinguishable policy frameworks) (6) 4.1.1 Ownership and operation of DH network Many DH networks in European countries are operated by vertically integrated companies, owned by municipalities or by private companies in which municipalities hold a major share. However, in some countries a mix between public and private ownership can be found, or also large energy companies operate larger DH networks while the little ones are split typically between small companies or municipalities. Also, in many countries some sort of authorization for the operation is required, like license, permit or concession. This process varies from one country to another: in France, for example, a tender procedure must be set up by the local authority to give the license for operating a public DH network. At the same time, the formalization of a private DH network is also possible, and this does not require any type of license for the operation of the network. 4.1.2 Prices for consumers DH prices for consumers mainly differ depending on the network and also by taking into account the customers: in most countries, prices are currently not collected or published, while at European level the existing regulation is valid only for gas and electricity markets. Many countries have their own definition of DH prices and rules: in Norway, for example, for a given DH network and its perimeter, the final DH price for consumers must be lower than the price for any other heating source available, to ensure the competitiveness of the district heating solution according to the Energy Act. Other rules that apply to other countries are based on price caps, price adjustment clauses or generic rules that do not strictly define a fixed price. D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 19 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE In the end, a difference can be highlighted between more regulated and liberalized approaches to price regulation. 4.1.3 Metering of heat consumption Concerning the metering of heat consumption, this aspect is regulated in most of the European countries: at European level, the European Energy Efficiency Directive (2018/2022, EED) regulates metering and declares that final users must be provided with competitively priced meters that reflect their actual consumption in an accurate way. However, the implementation of the EED seems to be very difficult, as in many situations several meters or heat cost allocators are necessary to calculate the consumption for each single final user. Furthermore, at national level, no local legislation is available for this matter and EED is the reference for metering purposes, while some countries lack of metering regulation (e.g. Greece, Italy, Spain). 4.1.4 Consumer grid connection and usage A challenge that DH networks typically have to face off is related to the low motivation of citizens in joining the network. To overcome this barrier, mandatory grid connection is a solution usually exploited for consumers: this means that consumers within a local DH network are obliged to join it to cover their heating demand, under certain conditions. In France, for example, the mandatory connection can happen only if the DH network is economically balanced, at least 50% of the input energy mix comes from renewable or waste heat and all heat exchanges are metered. At the same time, many countries do not have mandatory grid connection but have introduced some regulations regarding the connection process or delivering contracts. 4.1.5 Third party access in networks Gas and electricity markets are generally unbundled, hence the different roles and responsibilities (e.g., production, distribution, economic transactions) must be in charge to different entities. DH market, on the other hand, is not regulated at EU level: this means that this market is often an integrated service, where one single company is responsible for heat generation, heat distribution and selling of heat energy to customers. Within this scheme, third parties like independent heat producers cannot enter into the network. However, progressing toward the latest generation of DHNs, this possibility would be very interesting and many options exist. For example: - In the “network access model”, heat producers can enter DH networks and they can directly sell their energy to the final customers within the network; - In the “single buyer model”, the central role is up to the operator of the DH network, which is obliged to accept and buy the feed-in thermal energy coming from external heat generators: in this model, final customers can buy from a single supplier only, which identifies as the DH network operator itself; D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 20 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE - In the “extended producer market”, moreover, the basic working principle is the same as in the single buyer model, with a higher degree of regulation and transparency for all the actors involved in the DH market. Furthermore, regulation of grid access for independent producers currently provides for the following possibilities: - Negotiated TPA, where the DH network owner is required to negotiate with the heat producers about access to the network. In the negotiated voluntary network access model, the heat dispatch order to the DH network is determined freely, while in the negotiated mandatory network access model, the DH network owner must regulate the access to the network by means of mandatory requirements and constrictions for heat producers that are agreed between the parties. - Regulated TPA, where the requirements for heat producers are predefined and have to be met: in this case, the DH owner is obliged to provide the access to the grid. Anyway, the existing regulation (RED II) does not provide a clear framework for grid access, since in the current situation DH operators can still deny a feed-in request from independent heat producers if technical or economic conditions cannot be met. 4.1.6 Support measures and carbon taxes Many EU countries implemented support measures to incentivize and speed-up the spread of DH networks based on efficient and renewable generation. Usually, support schemes provide financial support for grid infrastructure, renewable energy generation, R&D activities for innovative systems as well as for connecting final customers to the networks. From a factual point of view, the main financial measures consist of financing grants, premiums, low-interest loans or tax exemptions, and few examples of supporting schemes for R&D topics and connection to final users can be found. In Germany, for example, the program “Heating Network Systems 4.0” aims to sustain DH networks with a high share of renewables from a financial point of view. Moreover, carbon emissions generated from plants characterized by a nominal thermal power greater than 20 kW are regulated by the European Emission Trading System, but some countries have additional local carbon taxes which generally increase the penalization related to the use of fossil fuels for heat generation in DH networks. 4.2 Impact of different HYPERGRYD relevant technologies on DHNs 4.2.1 ER1: Sorption Thermal Energy Storage [CNR, SOR] ER1 covered the activities carried out by SOR and CNR related to the set-up of a seasonal storage based on sorption technology: at material level, they evaluated different composite materials, then D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 21 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE the manufacturing of the storage was performed after a preliminary shape optimization and sizing of the storage vessel and the evaporator/condenser. From an impact perspective, the deployment of this energy storage should reduce the primary energy need of the DHN, improving the efficiency and usage patterns. Also, it will reduce the peak demand that should be covered by the DHN, and it will enhance the synergy with RESs by decoupling generation from load. On the other hand, given the fact that this energy storage is based on a new technology not well known in the market and to the installers, it may increase the complexity of the system and investment cost in the transitional time to be a market product. Further possible impacts on DHN given by this storage are currently investigated by KEZO-IMP in their Live-in Lab facilities, and more insights on the tests carried out for the sorption-based thermal energy storage and final results will be available in a dedicated deliverable by the end of the project. 4.2.2 ER2: Modular Heat Pump with short-term PCM storage [OCHSNER] ER2 is related to the development of a modular heat pump with short-term PCM storage, and OCHSNER was in charge of this Exploitable Result. A model-based design activity of a PCM heat exchanger with the optimum PCM material and geometry selected based on numerical simulations was carried out, in the framework of 5th generation DHCN. The modularity of this technology is given by the fact that, if the apartment is refurbished and the heat load diminishes, the exceeding modules can be removed and re-used elsewhere. In case the modular HP is connected to a 5th generation DHC grid, it can provide heating and cooling simultaneously thanks to its modularity, thus providing what otherwise would be provided by a fuel-fired boiler and a chiller. Also, if compared to a traditional DHW storage located into the apartments, this solution consisting of a space saving instantaneous water heater based on PCM materials provides a more compact solution and allows faster heating rates. This aspect should promote the 4th and 5th generation of DHNs by ensuring the integration with low temperatures. 4.2.3 ER3: WPW (Water-PCM-Water) Heat exchanger [AIT] ER3 consisted of the design and development of a Water-PCM-Water Heat Exchanger, as a threemedia heat exchanger with Domestic Hot Water, PCM and water passages. This result is strictly linked to ER2, since this HEX was integrated into the modular heat pump developed by OCHSNER. The working principle is based on the PCM’s capacity to store and release heat. The PCM is charged with hot water provided by the water cycle of the HP through the water passages. During discharging, fresh water at about 15°C will be hated up to about 50-60°C on demand to provide DHW to the apartment occupants. D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 22 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE The main positive impact of this technology is linked to ER2, thus providing a space saving water heater based on PCM materials and WPW HEX that ensures a more compact solution and allows faster heating rates. 4.2.4 ER4: Reversible micro-CHP with Steam Engine and Steam Buffer [RANO] ER4 is related to the reversible micro-CHP with Steam Engine and Steam Buffer provided by RANOTOR. The reversible steam engine generates steam by consumption of mechanical or electrical power. When the steam engine is in reverse operation, steam is fed to the expander’s cylinders during the piston return stroke. The steam is then compressed. This increases the total energy contained in the system by means of converting outside mechanical energy to internal thermal energy. Water is injected into the cylinder thus lowering the temperature with a resulting phase transition from liquid water to steam. The newly generated steam heats up the thermal buffer. The CHP is able to offer flexibility services such as peak shaving: it means that this technology can reduce the peak thermal generation to be provided by the DHN, also decoupling the generation of the DHN from the fluctuating heat demand. However, CHP owner could not have any benefit from participating in a thermal/energy network: if the CHP is able to provide the required thermal and electrical demand to the owner, and if the owner is not interested in selling the surplus of energy, the DHN would not be necessary anymore. D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 23 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE 5 Main development and implementation problems In this chapter, the main implementation problems for the development of 4GDHN and 5GDHN have been studied starting from the information which has been provided directly from HYPERGRYD project partners: the main implementation problems have been identified for each of the relevant DHN’s technologies, both physical (e.g., heat pumps, thermal storages, etc.) and digital (e.g., management and control systems, simulation tools, etc.) ones. In this chapter, the main development and implementation problems for physical technologies have been described, while for digital technologies will be described in next chapter “DHNs’ “. The analysis focused on the technologies developed within the HYPERGRYD project, as these are the main components of future district heating networks and therefore serve as an excellent indicator. In fact, HYPERGRYD project aims to innovate and improve the efficiency, sustainability, and integration capabilities of DHNs by leveraging advanced physical and digital technologies. By examining the development and implementation challenges faced by these technologies, we can better understand the potential hurdles and opportunities that lie ahead for the widespread adoption of next-generation district heating solutions. By focusing on these critical components, the project aims to set a benchmark for future developments in the field, both technical and regulatory, paving the way for more sustainable and efficient heating solutions. 5.1 Development problems First of all, the analysis focuses on the development problems of the new technologies developed during HYPERGRYD. It is crucial to identify this kind of problems because it helps to ensure its successful implementation and operation. Understanding these challenges, it is possible to help researchers and developers to devise effective strategies to overcome obstacles, allocate resources efficiently, and mitigate risks, both technical and economic ones, enhancing reliability and scalability of the technologies, which are the characteristics that help the adoption by other stakeholders and the market. According to the project partners, which provided their contributions through specific questionnaires and interviews, the main development problems are related to the following areas: • The technology, particularly in terms of procuring essential components and managing manufacturing/development challenges. It is complex because dedicated resources are needed to overcome these problems and could be complicated meeting market demands. • Economic factors, including cost fluctuations, supplier reliability, and availability. These play a crucial role in the sustainability and efficiency of business operations due to the large impact on companies and development activities. • Lack of personnel, both skilled researchers to develop the project results, but also management and marketing personnel to organise and carry out further exploitation activities. D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 24 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE 5.2 Implementation problems Furthermore, the integration of advanced technologies in 4GDHNs and 5GDHNs presents several implementation challenges. These include the need for substantial infrastructure upgrades to accommodate lower temperature operations, ensuring compatibility with existing systems, and securing reliable sources of renewable energy. Additionally, there are concerns regarding the scalability of these networks in urban environments, as well as the economic feasibility given the high initial investment costs. Effective management of system complexity and maintaining optimal efficiency across diverse geographic and climatic conditions also pose significant hurdles. Addressing these issues requires coordinated efforts between stakeholders, innovative engineering solutions, and robust regulatory frameworks to overcome these challenges and provide effective strategies and solutions to the market. Through questionnaires and interviews, project partners provided their comments about the main implementation problems they are encountering, which are related to the following areas: • High costs for the final development of the technologies in operational environments, also for the development of connections with existing networks. • Other techno-economic aspects, such as difficulties in obtaining effective and good business agreements with networks’ owners due to complex requirements needed (e.g., it is required a certain amount of energy to be traded, often related to the peak demand). • Technical flexibility of the systems; how the systems can manage heat or energy fluctuations and peaks caused by RES and other renewable sources. • Technical limitations caused by adopted materials (e.g., aluminium needs specific coatings to work with hot water), installed systems, or by the network itself, such as the consistency of heat/temperature ranges. In particular, these networks and systems can operate only in a specific range of temperatures; out of these boundaries, the systems do not work properly and should be stopped, causing strong inefficiencies to the relative DHN. • Legal and regulatory obstacles related to the possibility of adoption of the technologies themselves. Please refer to tables reported in chapter 10 “Appendices“ for the detailed partners’ answers about development and implementation problems for all the different devices encountered during HYPERGRYD project. 5.3 Integration of low heat sources According to the project partners, which provided their contributions to specific questionnaires and interviews, a specific focus on the integration of low heat sources has been carried out to understand how much this implementation problem is relevant to them. This in-depth analysis was carried out because the integration of low-temperature heat sources is one of the key areas of focus within the HYPERGRYD project because it can provide significant energy D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 25 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE savings and environmental benefits. The project partners have contributed valuable insights through questionnaires and interviews, shedding light on the practical aspects of incorporating these innovative technologies into existing systems. Additionally, the project addresses the need for robust management and control systems, as well as simulation tools to optimize the performance and reliability of district heating networks: an analysis of the adoption of these digital tools is reported in next chapter “DHNs’ “. Through the analysis carried out together with the project partners, it emerged that the integration with low (or also high) heat sources are problematic because it primary caused the stop of the operations of the systems. In fact, these systems have a defined working temperature range often caused by materials’ limits. For example, heat exchangers or thermal storages can only work (or can work with good efficiency) in the heat range accepted by the heat sorption materials used; out of this, it is not efficient and cannot provide good performances. Due to this aspect, the technologies developed in the project (but, more generally, the technologies that could be used in DHNs) have to be aligned with DHNs’ temperature ranges: this is the first and most important factor for the implementation of technologies like these developed in HYPERGRYD. Moreover, the absence of a strong and defined regulatory framework (as highlighted in previous chapter “Considerations on the regulatory framework and impact of different HYPERGRYD relevant technologies on DHNs“) does not help companies in developing systems which can be largely adopted precisely because no rules or technical ranges/boundaries have been in place. However, some systems could even benefit from low heat sources in the DHNs, or could not be affected by these, but it is a characteristic strictly related to the systems themselves. In conclusion, this aspect is an important research topic because it could be very helpful in the development of 4G and 5GDHNs with distributed heat sources (e.g., in very dense cities or without large heat sources as industrial plants), as observed in (5) and (7). Please refer to tables reported in chapter 10 “Appendices“ for the detailed partners’ answers about the integration problems with low heat sources for all the different devices encountered during HYPERGRYD project. D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 32 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE 9 References 1. Power, Euroheat &. DHC Market Outlook Insights & Trends. 2023. 2. District Heating & Cooling in the future energy system. s.l. : Sustainable Places, 2023. 3. S. Buffa, M. D'Antoni, M. Cozzini, R. Fedrizzi. 5th generation district heating and cooling systems: A review of existing cases in Europe. 2019. 4. M.A. Ancona, F. Baldi, L. Branchini, A. De Pascale, F. Gianaroli, F. Melino, M. Ricci. Comparative Analysis of Renewabl Energy Community Designs for District Heating Networks: Case Study of Corticella (Italy). s.l. : Energies, 2022. 5. A. Volkova, S. Reuter, S. Puschnigg, H. Kauko, R.R. Schmidt, B. Leitner, S. Moser. Cascade sublower temperature district heating networks in existing district heating systems. s.l. : Smart Energy, 2022. 6. Al., A. Billerbeck et. Policy frameworks for district heating: A comprehensive overview and analysis of regulations and support measures across Europe. s.l. : Energy Policy 173, 2023. 7. L. Socci, A. Rocchetti, A. Verzino, A. Zini, L. Talluri. Enhancing third-generation district heating networks with data centre waste heat recovery: analysis of a case study in Italy. s.l. : Energy Volume 313, 2024. 8. S. Kuntuarova, T. Licklederer, T. Huynh, D. Zinsmeister, T. Hamacher, V. Peric. Design and simulation of district heating networks: A review of modelling approaches and tools. s.l. : Energy, 2024. 9. A. Volkova, I. Pakere, L. Murauskaite, P. Huang, K. Lepiksaar, X. Zhang. 5th generation heating and cooling (5GDHCN) implementation potential in urban areas with existing district heating systems. s.l. : Energy Reports, 2022. D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 33 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE 10 Appendices 10.1 Appendix 1: DHN road-mapping questionnaires ER 2: Modular Heat Pump with short-term PCM storage – OCHS ROAD-MAPPING QUESTIONNAIRE: ER 2: Modular Heat Pump with short-term PCM storage – OCHS Which technologies for DHNs are you developing in the HYPERGRYD project? Please list all of the relevant ones and provide their name and a brief description of the main details and information. Modular Heat Pump with short-term PCM storage. Model-based design of a PCM heat exchanger with the optimum PCM material and geometry selected based on numerical simulations. Connected e.g. to 5th generation DHC. If the apartment is refurbished and the heat load diminishes, exceeding modules can be removed and re-used elsewhere. This is particularly relevant to real estate organisations managing large amounts of flats. Each modular HP is controlled by itself, the system as a whole relies on a 2nd level controller. In case the modular HP is connected to a 5th generation DHC grid, it can provide heating and cooling simultaneously thanks to its modularity. In this case, the HP provides what otherwise would be provided by a boiler and a chiller. Which are the main positive impacts of your technologies on DHNs? In terms of improvements or other aspects which are relevant to the effectiveness of the technology and the network. Modular solution is adjustable to different flat sizes and heating demands. In addition, it allows to use mass -produced components and to focus on the design of one refrigerant cycle only. Modularity is the main added value. Adjustments can be made by the installer: Modules can be easily removed and hydraulics adjusted. From the perspective of the end-user, the advantage is that the HP can be connected to a network, but only if the cooling function is also in place. In this case, the HP provides what otherwise would be provided by a boiler and a chiller. Which are the main negative impacts of your technologies on DHNs? Please list and describe them in terms of criticalities or other aspects which are relevant to the effectiveness of the technology and the network. As of today, no negative impacts on DHNs are known. D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 34 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE ROAD-MAPPING QUESTIONNAIRE: ER 2: Modular Heat Pump with short-term PCM storage – OCHS Which are the main development problems that you are facing off? Please list and describe which are the main observable impacts and the (possible) causes on technological and network performances. Uncertainty, if 5GDHN are going to be connected to already existing multi-family-homes on a large scale. This leads to limitation of R&D resources to be spent on this topic. Availability of components and a lack of human resources has been an ongoing topic during the HYPERGRYD project. Which are the main implementation problems that you are facing off? Please list and describe which are the main observable impacts and the (possible) causes on technological and network performances. High initial cost and the availability of 5GDHN hinder the ease of access of this ER. From a legal point of view tenants can’t force their landlord to transition to a sustainable solution and flat owners depend on the approval of their neighbouring flat owners. How do your technologies work in a distributed generation DHN? Are they affected by the integration with low heat sources? Please describe which are the main obstacles, impacts, and (possible) mitigation actions. The technology allows to extract heat in the winter and, optionally to supply heat in the summer. Thus, the modular Heat Pump with short-term PCM storage is suited well to interact with low temperature heat sources. How do your technologies impact on the environmental targets of DHNs? Please describe the main results in terms of emissions, savings, etc. The technology doesn’t lead to direct emissions of GHG and in operation the GHG emissions can be reduced to a minimum by utilizing electricity generated by renewables. Typical savings of the transition from gas boilers to heat pumps can be assumed. How do your technologies impact DHNs financially and in terms of business plans? Please describe the main advantages and disadvantages related to the deployment of your technologies in DHNs from a financial point of view. High initial cost can be expected to impact the DHN implementation of this technology. However, the supply of heat to the network during summer allows to set off some of these costs. Coupling this technology with the electricity market, would allow to take advantage of the heat capacity of the D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 35 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE ROAD-MAPPING QUESTIONNAIRE: ER 2: Modular Heat Pump with short-term PCM storage – OCHS flat/building and the stored energy in the short-term PCM storage. Thus, this would minimize the cost for the operation of the system. That’s because during winter, you consume energy from the network, while during summer you produce heat and can dump this heat to the network. No income during winter because the heat pump owner uses heat, while during summer the owner has income because heat pump owner uses heat pump for cooling and then produce heat for DHN. There are not regulations for this aspect yet. In case the DHN owner is a municipality, this is the one that put energy in, but few regulations. In next future, probably it will. Please provide any other useful information about the causes, the effects, and the impacts of your technologies which are not covered by previous questions, such as main issues, difficulties, or benefits. Not applicable. ER 3: WPW (water-PCM-Water) heat exchanger – AIT ROAD-MAPPING QUESTIONNAIRE: ER 3: WPW (water-PCM-Water) heat exchanger – AIT Which technologies for DHNs are you developing in the HYPERGRYD project? Please list all of the relevant ones and provide their name and a brief description of the main details and information. WPW (water-PCM-Water) heat exchanger. The design is based on the WPW (Water-PCM-Water)-heat exchanger design developed in the HYBUILD and CHALLENGE EU-funded projects and will be a three media HEX with Domestic Hot Water, PCM and water passages (DPW-HEX). The PCM is charged with hot water provided by the water cycle of the HP through the water passages. During discharging, fresh water at about 15°C will be heated up to about 50-60°C on demand to provide DHW to the apartment occupants. Which are the main positive impacts of your technologies on DHNs? In terms of improvements or other aspects which are relevant to the effectiveness of the technology and the network. Instead of a state-of-the-art DHW storage located in the apartments, a space saving instantaneous water heater based on PCM materials provides a more compact solution and allows faster water heating rates. D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 36 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE ROAD-MAPPING QUESTIONNAIRE: ER 3: WPW (water-PCM-Water) heat exchanger – AIT Which are the main negative impacts of your technologies on DHNs? Please list and describe them in terms of criticalities or other aspects which are relevant to the effectiveness of the technology and the network. As of today, no negative impacts on DHNs are known. Which are the main development problems that you are facing off? Please list and describe which are the main observable impacts and the (possible) causes on technological and network performances. Availability of components and a lack of human resources has been an ongoing topic during the HYPERGRYD project. Manufacturing the WPW HEX using aluminium multiport extrusion technology based on finalized designs has turned out to be more complex than initially expected. Fortunately, AKG was able to deliver the component in a subcontract. Lack of HR is now, because they had problems during Covid pandemic, plus difficulties in the definition of agreements with subcontractors. Which are the main implementation problems that you are facing off? Please list and describe which are the main observable impacts and the (possible) causes on technological and network performances. High initial cost and the availability of 5GDHN hinder the ease of access of this ER. From a legal point of view tenants can’t force their landlord to transition to a sustainable solution and flat owners depend on the approval of their neighbouring flat owners. Water without additives cannot be brought in contact for an extended period of time to uncoated aluminium. As in the current design, the WPW HEX is manufactured out of aluminium, an additional hydraulic circuit is necessary reducing efficiency, adding control complexity and negatively effecting heating rates. 6. How do your technologies work in a distributed generation DHN? Are they affected by the integration with low heat sources? Please describe which are the main obstacles, impacts, and (possible) mitigation actions. The combined ER 2 and ER 3 technology allows to extract heat in the winter and, optionally to supply heat in the summer feeding the WPW HEX. The technology is perfectly suited for the integration of low temperature heat sources, while it would not be beneficial for high temperature heat sources. About the integration of temperatures, the HP in general can provide heat between 0-25°C, that is the range for the 5GDHN. D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 37 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE ROAD-MAPPING QUESTIONNAIRE: ER 3: WPW (water-PCM-Water) heat exchanger – AIT For the HP, the operational limits are in line with the DHN temperature ranges, so there will not be problems for this integration. Instead, ER3 acts as a battery, shift loads in the grid to avoid over consumption or local temperature limits to be excessively consumed. So, it will work as a limiter and there will not be problems for this too. How do your technologies impact on the environmental targets of DHNs? Please describe the main results in terms of emissions, savings, etc. The technology doesn’t lead to direct emissions of GHG and in operation the GHG emissions can be reduced to a minimum by utilizing electricity generated by renewables. In comparison with its competitor, the conventional water-based storage tank, the space requirements are much smaller for this ER. How do your technologies impact DHNs financially and in terms of business plans? Please describe the main advantages and disadvantages related to the deployment of your technologies in DHNs from a financial point of view. Higher initial cost can be expected in comparison to conventional water-based storage tanks. Coupling this technology with the electricity market, would allow to take advantage of the heat capacity of the flat/building and the stored energy in the short-term PCM storage. Thus, this would minimize the cost for the operation of the system. Please provide any other useful information about the causes, the effects, and the impacts of your technologies which are not covered by previous questions, such as main issues, difficulties, or benefits. Not applicable. ER 1: Sorption Thermal Energy Storage – SOR (CNR) ROAD-MAPPING QUESTIONNAIRE: ER 1: Sorption Thermal Energy Storage – SOR (CNR) Which technologies for DHNs are you developing in the HYPERGRYD project? Please list all of the relevant ones and provide their name and a brief description of the main details and information. SOR with CNR developed seasonal storage based on sorption technology. Relevant activities: D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 38 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE ROAD-MAPPING QUESTIONNAIRE: ER 1: Sorption Thermal Energy Storage – SOR (CNR) • At material level, with different composite material. • Optimization of the storage vessel and the evaporator/condenser. • Manufacturing of the storage with the option to work as a chiller and in heating/cooling storage mode. Which are the main positive impacts of your technologies on DHNs? In terms of improvements or other aspects which are relevant to the effectiveness of the technology and the network. • Reduce the primary energy need of the DHN. • Increased efficiency and usage, reducing the peak of the DHN and investigate the possibility of connecting RES to the seasonal storage and the net. Which are the main negative impacts of your technologies on DHNs? Please list and describe them in terms of criticalities or other aspects which are relevant to the effectiveness of the technology and the network. As a new technology, not well known in the market and to the installers, it may increase the complexity of the system and investment cost in the transitional time to be a market product. The tests on the DHN demo are being done by IMP (Polish research centre), which tested it in a LiL (Live-in-Lab). They had some issues about temperature levels on which they work, because it is important to understand if they reach the required temperature delta or not, but these could be an implementation problem. Instead, there should be no problems about pressures and flows in the pilot phase (possible to have problems in implementation phase too if the DHN is not working with the same characteristics). The only real difficulty is that it is an additional object in the plant. Which are the main development problems that you are facing off? Please list and describe which are the main observable impacts and the (possible) causes on technological and network performances. • Optimization of the working mode: they finally decided for two different situations: o Chiller mode (adapts to summer and winter conditions). o Charging/storage phase in both summer and winter: “storage phase” work depending on the environmental conditions (summer vs winter). • Increase of material/components’ cost. • Optimization of a liquid pump to work in vacuum conditions. D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 39 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE ROAD-MAPPING QUESTIONNAIRE: ER 1: Sorption Thermal Energy Storage – SOR (CNR) Which are the main implementation problems that you are facing off? Please list and describe which are the main observable impacts and the (possible) causes on technological and network performances. It will be answer mainly from the test and running process at the pilot. After a long tests-running, new issues can be identify. However, the integration will always be possible, but it is based on the working ranges: if below, the system does not start; if above, it switches off for safety reasons. Therefore, must be in line with the DHN requests. No regulations exist at the moment, we are at the prototype level. How do your technologies work in a distributed generation DHN? Are they affected by the integration with low heat sources? Please describe which are the main obstacles, impacts, and (possible) mitigation actions. Generally, not in the output side. It could be an integration problem due to a low heat as available source (from the input side) to run the machine. If the source of temperature is too low, the prototype cannot provide proper heating (or cooling). How do your technologies impact on the environmental targets of DHNs? Please describe the main results in terms of emissions, savings, etc. Details will explain from the pilot owner based on the test campaign. The Storage use “surplus heat” to store it, and release when it is needed or there is a peak from the DHN. How do your technologies impact DHNs financially and in terms of business plans? Please describe the main advantages and disadvantages related to the deployment of your technologies in DHNs from a financial point of view. It can work as a chiller (reduce emission and electrical needs from the net) because it runs thanks to heat source instead of electricity as the standard electrical chiller. It is a storage, and it can reduce the fuel expenses, because store the heat/cold when there are too much availability and release when there is a peak. Or instead of burning other fuel to cover the curve of demand. Disadvantages, because of the early stage it will be expensive if compared with traditional technology. 9. Please provide any other useful information about the causes, the effects, and the impacts of your technologies which are not covered by previous questions, such as main issues, difficulties, or benefits. D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 40 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE ROAD-MAPPING QUESTIONNAIRE: ER 1: Sorption Thermal Energy Storage – SOR (CNR) Further test and long running work will give a better overview related to the flexibility of the technologies and adaptability in different working conditions and RES. Please refer to results in the Deliverable that will be made by IMP at project’s end. ER 4: Reversible micro-CHP with Steam Engine and Steam Buffer – RANO ROAD-MAPPING QUESTIONNAIRE: ER 4: Reversible micro-CHP with Steam Engine and Steam Buffer – RANO Which technologies for DHNs are you developing in the HYPERGRYD project? Please list all of the relevant ones and provide their name and a brief description of the main details and information. Multifuel CHP (Combined Heat and Power). Which are the main positive impacts of your technologies on DHNs? In terms of improvements or other aspects which are relevant to the effectiveness of the technology and the network. The local CHP offer peak shaving, the DHN doesn’t have to follow the heat fluctuating. Which are the main negative impacts of your technologies on DHNs? Please list and describe them in terms of criticalities or other aspects which are relevant to the effectiveness of the technology and the network. If the end user is owning the CHP and produce electricity and heat itself, the profit for the DHN could be reduced when the CHP make the user less dependent from DHN. This is caused by the difficulties in trading with DHN companies and the difficulties to integrate heat levels (DHN owners make CHP owners pay for peak load). Which are the main development problems that you are facing off? Please list and describe which are the main observable impacts and the (possible) causes on technological and network performances. The main problems are probably to find a business agreement with the DHN that benefit both parties. Difficult to have business agreements because CHP’s owners do not have a certain amount of energy to be traded: agreements are formulated to ensure the cover of the peak demand. Moreover, fluctuations and peaks caused by RES and other renewable sources. Connecting to the grid could be very expensive due to dedicated substations. Then, other problems could be technical interface, both hardware and software. D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 41 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE ROAD-MAPPING QUESTIONNAIRE: ER 4: Reversible micro-CHP with Steam Engine and Steam Buffer – RANO Which are the main implementation problems that you are facing off? Please list and describe which are the main observable impacts and the (possible) causes on technological and network performances. See answers above. How do your technologies work in a distributed generation DHN? Are they affected by the integration with low heat sources? Please describe which are the main obstacles, impacts, and (possible) mitigation actions. Yes, low heat sources benefit our CHP unit because we get higher electric efficiency with a lower heat sink. They are discussing about the integration and the connection with DHNs but no results for now. How do your technologies impact on the environmental targets of DHNs? Please describe the main results in terms of emissions, savings, etc. The environmental advantages are related to the fuel used in the CHP. Hydrogen will offer low emissions. The CHP is also silent and hence low noise emissions is a reality. How do your technologies impact DHNs financially and in terms of business plans? Please describe the main advantages and disadvantages related to the deployment of your technologies in DHNs from a financial point of view. The owner (DHN or a real estate owner) of the CHP system will get higher electric efficiency when the district heat is at lower temperature, in analogy with electric networks (peak shaving). Please provide any other useful information about the causes, the effects, and the impacts of your technologies which are not covered by previous questions, such as main issues, difficulties, or benefits. We are probably not aware about difficulties that can emerge when we are going to integrate the CHP unit to DHN business possibilities and possible regulations that causes problem. D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 48 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE ROAD-MAPPING QUESTIONNAIRE: ER8: Exergoeconomic optimization tool for 4th and 5th generation of DHC – GET older infrastructure to accommodate 4th or 5th generation technologies may incur high initial investment costs. Which are the main development problems that you are facing off? Please list and describe which are the main observable impacts and the (possible) causes on technological and network performances. One of the main challenges in the development phase is the availability and quality of data from existing DHNs, particularly for older networks. Inconsistent or incomplete historical data makes it difficult to simulate and optimize network performance. Another issue is the integration of renewable energy sources into the system, as their availability often fluctuates. Additionally, ensuring compatibility between different software components and data formats is an ongoing concern in the development of the Exergoeconomic Optimization Tool. Which are the main implementation problems that you are facing off? Please list and describe which are the main observable impacts and the (possible) causes on technological and network performances. The integration of low-temperature heat sources and decentralized heat producers into DHNs presents several challenges. Variations in local pressure gradients can cause operational inefficiencies, especially in older networks. Heat losses and leaks remain a significant problem, particularly in poorly insulated pipelines. Furthermore, the practical placement of new components like borehole storages or pumps may be limited by geographic and urban constraints, requiring careful manual adjustments in the tool. How do your technologies work in a distributed generation DHN? Are they affected by the integration with low heat sources? Please describe which are the main obstacles, impacts, and (possible) mitigation actions. In distributed generation DHNs, the Exergoeconomic Optimization Tool supports the integration of low-temperature sources such as waste heat and heat pumps. However, the efficiency of such integrations depends on precise temperature control and flow rate management. Issues such as differential pressure fluctuations and mismatched temperature levels can complicate operations. Mitigation measures include the use of data for dynamic adjustments and advanced control algorithms to harmonize supply and demand. The optimization tool works with technologies such as the CHP from RANO and the heat pump from OCHS on the planning phase (no real-time, no sensors, no operational phase up to now, probably in the future). D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 49 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE ROAD-MAPPING QUESTIONNAIRE: ER8: Exergoeconomic optimization tool for 4th and 5th generation of DHC – GET Implementation is not affected by existing DHN since the tool is based on historical data and the calculation are done in an offline mode. About regulations, GET does not know if there are regulations at EU level. The tool can calculate waste heat used and heat pump working. For example, on industrial site, with waste heat at 40 °C, their tool can calculate the amount to use heat pump and put heat at 60-65 °C to be put in the DHN. So, the tools helps in the integration of low heat sources because gives the temperature of waste heat (the tool checks the difference between this and the temperature that DHN needs). About data: • The tool only needs historical data and the state of the grid for their calculations. • Integration might be not very difficult because now they don't need sensors or IoT devices. • Maybe in the future they will improve the tool for the real-time optimization. How do your technologies impact on the environmental targets of DHNs? Please describe the main results in terms of emissions, savings, etc. The technologies developed in HYPERGRYD align with environmental targets by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency. By optimizing temperature levels and reducing heat losses, the Exergoeconomic Optimization Tool minimizes the exergy required for heating, leading to lower emissions. Additionally, the integration of renewable energy sources and waste heat contributes to a substantial reduction in the carbon footprint of DHNs. How do your technologies impact DHNs financially and in terms of business plans? Please describe the main advantages and disadvantages related to the deployment of your technologies in DHNs from a financial point of view. From a financial perspective, these technologies can reduce operational expenses by optimizing pump energy consumption and minimizing heat losses. The support for flexible electricity tariffs enables cost-effective heat generation, especially during low electricity price periods, e.g. at using heat pumps. However, the initial capital expenditure for upgrading older grids and installing new sensors and control systems can be significant. The tool also offers economic insights, helping decision-makers plan investments and operational strategies effectively. Please provide any other useful information about the causes, the effects, and the impacts of your technologies which are not covered by previous questions, such as main issues, difficulties, or benefits. D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 50 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE ROAD-MAPPING QUESTIONNAIRE: ER8: Exergoeconomic optimization tool for 4th and 5th generation of DHC – GET The Exergoeconomic Optimization Tool is offered exclusively as a service rather than standalone software, allowing us to focus on delivering tailored solutions to customers. This approach ensures that users benefit from our expertise in optimizing DHC systems without the need for in-house technical capabilities. By handling the operational and technical complexities ourselves, we minimize errors and maximize system efficiency. Offering the tool as a service also keeps costs low for customers, as they avoid high initial investments in software or training. This service-based model allows us to provide real-time adjustments, precise optimizations, and seamless integration of renewable energy sources, ultimately enhancing the economic and environmental performance of DHNs. ER 7: SAInt - Scenario Analysis Interface for Energy Systems – ENCO ROAD-MAPPING QUESTIONNAIRE: ER 7: SAInt - Scenario Analysis Interface for Energy Systems – ENCO Which technologies for DHNs are you developing in the HYPERGRYD project? Please list all of the relevant ones and provide their name and a brief description of the main details and information. Software platform “Scenario Analysis Interface for Energy Systems” (SAInt): an integrated and userfriendly software modelling platform developed by encoord GmbH (https://encoord.com) that enables coordination across planning processes, helping systems planners and energy managers navigate the energy transition. SAInt executes optimization models for system expansion, operations, and markets, along with physical simulations of electric, gas, and thermal networks, all in one modelling environment with a single and consistent data structure. Thanks to the activities carried out in the HYPERGRYD project, which is supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme, SAInt has expanded its functionalities to model district heating networks physically and to perform combined and integrated simulations with electric or natural gas systems. Which are the main positive impacts of your technologies on DHNs? In terms of improvements or other aspects which are relevant to the effectiveness of the technology and the network. As a planning and simulation tool, SAInt allows to model DHNs and to assess technical choices on pipeline sizing, geometric layouts, network losses or network management options for different load demand scenarios. The integration with the production cost module allows for assessing the economic implications of different supply alternatives and of dispatching schemes. The possibility of easily modifying the model (by extending the network with new lines, users or supply points) allows the assessment of future development plans. The possibility of linking the thermal network to models of the gas network or of the electric distribution network allows for a better-integrated planning D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 51 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE ROAD-MAPPING QUESTIONNAIRE: ER 7: SAInt - Scenario Analysis Interface for Energy Systems – ENCO assessment and a more robust simulation, which takes into consideration the feedback and loops among energy systems (possibly operated by the same company). Which are the main negative impacts of your technologies on DHNs? Please list and describe them in terms of criticalities or other aspects which are relevant to the effectiveness of the technology and the network. As with any other technical software tool, SAInt requires a properly trained user and a few months of learning-by-doing to be applied effectively to a specific problem. Which are the main development problems that you are facing off? Please list and describe which are the main observable impacts and the (possible) causes on technological and network performances. • Data exchange (primarily import) of data/models from other technical software. • Identification of functionalities to be integrated into the modelling platform. For example, the degree of sophistication in modelling a heat pump, type of properties, and type of outputs. • Design of the architecture of the program, which is also affected by the type of language selected. • Clarity in the design of the functionalities. The concept of “user-friendly” is very much dependent on the type of user. • Availability of reference methodologies (e.g., standards) for the computation of thermalrelated properties. Which are the main implementation problems that you are facing off? Please list and describe which are the main observable impacts and the (possible) causes on technological and network performances. Because this is a software tool, problems related to the implementations are either related to the technical choices of the programming language used or to the architectural choices made during the coding phase. In particular, a problem faced is the performance of the solver, which is determined not only by the size of the network and the number of modelled objects but also by the mathematical complexity of the problem and the solving algorithm. This aspect relates to the set of choices for using the CPU to solve the problem or delegate the calculations to the graphic card. D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 52 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE ROAD-MAPPING QUESTIONNAIRE: ER 7: SAInt - Scenario Analysis Interface for Energy Systems – ENCO How do your technologies work in a distributed generation DHN? Are they affected by the integration with low heat sources? Please describe which are the main obstacles, impacts, and (possible) mitigation actions. SAInt is not affected by the type of network as it offers a flexible modelling scheme which allows to encompass all existing and next generations of DHN. How do your technologies impact on the environmental targets of DHNs? Please describe the main results in terms of emissions, savings, etc. The production cost module of SAInt would allow to incorporate in a thermal simulation for a DHN environmental aspects linked to the emissions of different generation technologies. The thermal module allows the estimate of losses on both the cold and hot circuits, along with considering efficiency in a generation. How do your technologies impact DHNs financially and in terms of business plans? Please describe the main advantages and disadvantages related to the deployment of your technologies in DHNs from a financial point of view. SAInt could be used to plan network expansions, renovation plans, or management strategies (supply optimization in multi-supply point networks, fluid temperature, hydraulic flow optimization) under different load scenarios. SAInt would support the realization of a cost/benefit analysis of expansion alternatives or management alternatives, possible optimization of fuel us/expenses, reduction of operation costs, and assessment of unserved energy in case of system failure or pipeline disruptions. Please provide any other useful information about the causes, the effects, and the impacts of your technologies which are not covered by previous questions, such as main issues, difficulties, or benefits. One key selling point for our clients is the possibility of carrying out integrated planning (i.e., considering the interaction and feedback with other energy networks). Another benefit our clients value is the extent and quality of the documentation and tutorial accompanying the software. Such resources speed up the learning and use of the software substantially. D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 53 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE ER 9 & ER 10 – GSY ROAD-MAPPING QUESTIONNAIRE: ER 9: Grid Singularity simulation tool enhancement (thermal digital twins) – GSY ER 10: Software enhancements of open-source Grid Singularity Exchange (thermal digital twins integration) – GSY Which technologies for DHNs are you developing in the HYPERGRYD project? Please list all of the relevant ones and provide their name and a brief description of the main details and information. Grid Singularity Exchange, tool stack developed by GSY under GPL v.3 licence, and the application using this backend code, Singularity Map (also termed GSY Local Energy Market Simulation Tool) have both been enhanced in the framework of the HYPERGRYD project with digital twins of the heat pump and the district heating (modelled as a virtual heat pump) to assess sector coupling in energy communities, including potential replacement of DHN with heat pumps. Which are the main positive impacts of your technologies on DHNs? In terms of improvements or other aspects which are relevant to the effectiveness of the technology and the network. We have demonstrated that activating local peer-to-peer trading has important economic and environmental benefits, while replacement of DHN with heat pumps may be feasible only if the heating price rises compared to the electricity price. GSY simulation tool can also now account for sector coupling in simulating most optimal configurations for energy communities, enabling energy citizens and energy community leaders to make more informed decisions. Please refer to D3.6 for more details about the digital solutions developed by GSY during HYPERGRYD project. Which are the main negative impacts of your technologies on DHNs? Please list and describe them in terms of criticalities or other aspects which are relevant to the effectiveness of the technology and the network. As of today, no negative impacts are known. Which are the main development problems that you are facing off? Please list and describe which are the main observable impacts and the (possible) causes on technological and network performances. Scaling of peer-to-peer trading requires complex programming and leveraging novel blockchain technology, which is why it has been overall a long and costly development. Which are the main implementation problems that you are facing off? Please list and describe which are the main observable impacts and the (possible) causes on technological and network performances. D7.6 – Smart Hybrid Grids Technology Road-Mapping 54 Security level: RINA/CL/SENSITIVE ROAD-MAPPING QUESTIONNAIRE: ER 9: Grid Singularity simulation tool enhancement (thermal digital twins) – GSY ER 10: Software enhancements of open-source Grid Singularity Exchange (thermal digital twins integration) – GSY Implementation of advanced tools for local energy trading is challenged by low availability and granularity of data and difficulties in data integration, as well as bureaucracy involved with setting up energy communities and limited business models currently allowed in EU member states. As an example from the EU directive, trading among communities is possible, but the local regulations and local markets are limiting these business models. How do your technologies work in a distributed generation DHN? Are they affected by the integration with low heat sources? Please describe which are the main obstacles, impacts, and (possible) mitigation actions. No problems identified at the moment about the integration with low heat sources. How do your technologies impact on the environmental targets of DHNs? Please describe the main results in terms of emissions, savings, etc. We have demonstrated important increases in self-consumption and self-sufficiency rates and economic savings with activation of peer-to-peer trading. How do your technologies impact DHNs financially and in terms of business plans? Please describe the main advantages and disadvantages related to the deployment of your technologies in DHNs from a financial point of view. GSY tools leverage renewable and flexible assets and reduce the need for DHN. Please provide any other useful information about the causes, the effects, and the impacts of your technologies which are not covered by previous questions, such as main issues, difficulties, or benefits. Not applicable.