Economic topology optimization of District Heating Networks using a pipe penalization approach

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) Vol. 264; p. 126161
• Main Authors: Wack, Yannick, Baelmans, Martine, Salenbien, Robbe, Blommaert, Maarten
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2023
• Subjects: District heating network; Non-linear optimization; Optimal design; Topology optimization; Topology optimization; Non-linear optimization; District heating network; Optimal design
• ISSN: 0360-5442
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2022.126161

In the presented study, a pipe penalization approach for the economic topology optimization of District Heating Networks is proposed, drawing inspiration from density-based topology optimization. For District Heating Networks, the upfront investment is a crucial factor for the rollout of this technology. Today, the pipe routing is usually designed relying on a linearization of the underlying heat transport problem. This study proposes to solve the optimal pipe routing problem as a non-linear topology optimization problem, drawing inspiration from density-based topology optimization. The optimization problem is formulated around a non-linear heat transport model and minimizes a detailed net present value representation of the heating network cost. By relaxing the combinatorial problem of pipe placement, this approach remains scalable for large-scale applications. In a design study on a realistic medium-sized network with 160 houses, a strong influence of economic parameters on the optimal network topology was observed. For this case, the optimization algorithm converges to a discrete network topology and near-discrete pipe design in about 10 min by using the proposed intermediate pipe penalization strategy. The optimal discrete network design found by the algorithm showed to outperform simple rounding post-processing steps by up to 2.8% of their respective net present value. [Display omitted] •A density based topology optimization approach for District Heating Network design.•By relaxing the combinatorial routing problem it is tractable for large networks.•Discrete network topologies and pipe design are achieved through pipe penalization.•Topological changes are observed for varying economic parameters.•The optimization is based on a detailed non-linear District Heating Network model.