Planning and optimizing heating centers – Finding the optimal solution for your project
Every pipe-bound heat supply, whether it’s a multi-family building, a district, or a district heating network, needs a well-designed heating center in which the generators are ideally coordinated with one another. With Polysun, you can simulate and compare different generator variants, and test the control strategy virtually before construction begins. This results in the most technically and economically optimal solution for new construction, additions, or renovations.
What types of heating centers are there?
A heating center is the central generation facility for heating, cooling, and, if applicable, electricity. It is where components like heat pumps, boilers, combined heat and power (CHP) units, solar thermal systems, and storage tanks are hydraulically interconnected and controlled. These centers range in size and complexity from compact systems in multi-family buildings to several-megawatt systems operated by municipal utilities. Polysun models heating centers accurately across all these scales.
Heating center in a multi-family building
A well-thought-out heating center pays off, even on a smaller scale. Variant simulation can be used to determine the optimal solution and control strategy. Despite a smaller footprint, multiple energy flows — such as power generation, heating, cooling, and ground regeneration — can be intelligently linked during the design process.
Heating center for commercial and public buildings
Commercial and public buildings, such as hospitals, have high and highly variable energy demands that place special requirements on a heating center. Reliable planning of cooling, electricity, and heat demand is essential, as is the use of cold and heat storage, as well as various generator variants and sources. Because load profiles within a single center can vary considerably, time-step-based simulation is indispensable.
Heating center for cold district heating and cooling networks
The heating center supplies heat to several buildings simultaneously for cold district heating and cooling systems serving residential districts, commercial areas, or site developments. The focus here is on correctly sizing the heat pump cascade and buffer storage, as well as the multiple heat sources, which can range from borehole heat exchangers and groundwater to wastewater heat.
Heating center for district heating networks
At the upper end of the scale are large district heating centers that supply entire city districts. These centers often consist of a combination of combined heat and power (CHP) units, large heat pump cascades, and large thermal storage systems. The transformation of existing heating centers from fossil-based legacy systems to greenhouse-gas-neutral target systems is currently one of the central planning topics for German municipal utilities.
Variant design: the key to the optimal system
There are usually several technically feasible generator combinations for almost every heating center, and it is rarely clear at first glance which combination is best from economic and technical standpoints. Polysun’s variant design makes it possible to directly compare different configurations on an identical load basis. Examples include a classic high-temperature center versus a low-temperature concept, a central large-scale heat pump versus a decentralized solution, and different combinations of a heat pump, combined heat and power (CHP), and solar thermal. Each variant is simulated using the same weather data and load profiles over a full reference year. This makes heat generation costs, CO₂ balances, and supply security directly comparable. Thus, variant design is a key tool for avoiding poor investment decisions in plant technology, whether it involves a transformation, new construction, or an extension.
Why customers use Polysun to plan heating centers
Demonstrate operational reliability
- Verify the control concept through simulation
- Test the system’s behavior under real weather and load conditions
- Demonstrate supply security even during peak loads or the failure of individual generator
Compare centralized and decentralized variants
- Directly compare a central large-scale heat pump against a decentralized solution
- Simulate all variants using an identical weather and load basis
- Objectively compare heat generation costs and CO₂ balance for each varian
Calculate network losses
- Weigh low-temperature concepts against classic high-temperature networks
- Factor in heat losses in the distribution network already at the planning stage
Evaluate supply from multiple generators
- Design heat pump, CHP, solar thermal, and boiler in combination
- Sensibly distribute base and peak load across multiple generators
- Ensure supply even if individual generators fail
Coordinate generators with one another
- Simulate the interaction of all components in detail
- Configure the control logic between the generators
- Show operating hours and efficiency (COP) for individual generators
In-depth documentation for subsidies and tenders
- Use validated simulation results as transparent evidence
- Bundle all underlying data in a single file
- Clear presentation for banks, funding bodies, and committees
FAQ
Which generators can be combined in a heating center?
In Polysun, all common technologies can be interconnected and optimized within a heating center. These include air, ground, groundwater, and wastewater heat pumps; combined heat and power plants; solar thermal systems; photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) collectors; borehole heat exchanger fields; and industrial waste heat. The most suitable combination depends on the available heat source, required temperature level, and load profile of the connected consumers.
How does planning a new heating center differ from transforming an existing one?
When designing a new heating center, the focus is on sizing based on the expected heat demand, which is often uncertain at the start of the project. When transforming an existing center as part of municipal heat planning, for example, the existing infrastructure and generators must be considered, as well as their remaining service life. Both tasks can be completed using Polysun physical simulation and variant comparison methodology, but the underlying boundary conditions and level of detail of the existing data differ.
How long does it take to simulate a complex heating center in Polysun?
Polysun typically delivers simulation results within a few minutes. For complex systems with multiple generators, storage units, and detailed control logic, the computation time may be longer depending on the complexity of the energy system and the level of detail of the control logic. The time may also depend on the computer’s hardware.
Can I compare several variants of a heating center at the same time?
Yes. One of Polysun’s key strengths is its variant design. Different generator combinations, temperature levels, and storage concepts can be simulated on an identical load basis and compared directly in terms of heat generation costs, CO₂ balance, and supply security.
How can I get support when starting to plan with Polysun?
Depending on your level of knowledge and experience with Polysun, you can receive individual support. For complex heating centers with multiple generators and sophisticated control requirements, the scope of support can be adapted to your needs, ranging from an initial consultation to full project support.