Abstract

Heating and cooling sectors are pivotal in the European Union’s pursuit of climate neutrality by 2050. District heating and cooling networks, in particular the 5th generation, offer a valuable solution for reducing primary energy use and carbon dioxide emissions. This paper delves into the control optimisation of 5^th generation district heating and cooling networks using white-box model predictive control techniques. The aim is to develop a nonlinear model predictive control approach for a 5^th generation district heating and cooling network characterised by a directional medium flow and compare it to a non-directional medium flow network also controlled by nonlinear model predictive control. Physics-based models of building envelopes and hydraulics, developed in Modelica, are used. A model predictive control simulation is carried out to investigate the system’s operation and make a comparison of both model predictive controlled 5^th generation district heating and cooling networks. Despite being less flexible, the directional configuration achieves lower energy use and good thermal comfort by leveraging fluctuating network temperatures.