UK Demonstrator in Newcastle

Integration with existing district energy network and with smart grid

An intelligent hybrid thermo-chemical network laboratory-scale demonstrator is under development in hardware at the Swan Centre at Newcastle University.

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Coupling to thermal sources

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This network will include virtual coupling to thermal sources such as

  • an established district heating system and gas network
  • waste or residual heat sources
  • a renewable energy combined heat and power system
  • installed solar thermal and solar photovoltaic panels
  • heat pumps and integrated energy storage technology

Many of these are existing assets and will be combined togheter through this project.

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Coupling to users

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The network will be used to simulate potential real-world application for hybrid network. The demonstrator will replicate the typical load profiles from:

  • residential high energy users such as supermarkets, gyms, swimming pools
  • process industry
  • return line from a conventional district heating network

In-combination as a network, the challenges of integration, supply and demand management will be considered and overcome, this will enabled through the adoption and development of smart-control algorithms and integrated storage.

Learn more about the demonstrator and activities in Newcastle in the video.