Smart Cities – Thermal Networks

This paper presents a feasibility study of the technical and economic viability of introducing combined heating and cooling networks, referred to collectively in this paper as “thermal networks”. The steps used for this study include the identification of the most viable thermal network configuration, followed by analysis of a number of potential building mix scenarios and estimation of their respective potential impact on energy consumption, carbon emissions and economics. The final step was a discussion of the potential benefits and drawbacks associated with the implementation of the selected thermal network. This study revealed that by utilising thermal networks, with central energy centres, approximately 1831 tonnes of CO2 could be saved per annum compared to traditional supply methods. With a minimum assumed system life of 25 years this equates to approximately 46000 tonnes CO2. It has also been identified that, in conjunction with a marginal shift in policy to encourage an increase in service led economy, thermal networks can become technically and economically viable with around 40-year net present value payback periods and by introducing financial support from governments, such as 9 – 12 pence investment per kWh of cooling, the payback periods could be reduced to around 25 years.