IEA SHC Task 55 – Towards the Integration of Large SHC Systems into DHC Networks

IEA SHC Task 55 aims to develop technical and economic requirements for the commercial market introduction of solar district heating and cooling (DHC) for a broad range of countries.

The activities aim to improve technological know-how, market know-how and understanding of the boundary conditions as well as to provide expert know-how for project initiation and implementation and for training. A key element will be the direct cooperation of SDH experts with associations and companies in the district heating sector as a means to bridge the gap between these sectors.

Focus:

• Characteristics of solar thermal systems for DHC >0.5 MW up to GW systems
• Technical and economic specifications of district heating networks which are relevant for the integration of solar thermal systems and hybrid technologies (large scale storages, industrial waste heat, heat pumps, etc.)
• Analyses of system components and their integration: system temperature requirements, optimization of hydraulic systems, interdependences between large collector fields and seasonal storages, control strategies, self-learning controls, large collector field performances, assessment and design of large seasonal storages (>50.000 m³), system performance guarantees, system ratings and certificates
• Modular design of large SDH/SDC systems including hybrid technologies (large scale storages, industrial waste heat, heat pumps, etc.)
• Up-scaling potential of existing medium/large SDH/SDC systems to up to GWth systems
• Economic requirements of large SDH/SDC systems, market analyses of global and country developments