Hybrid thermo-chemical district networks: Principles and technology

Low-temperature residual heat and heat potentials of renewables below 70 °C often stay unused as either the distance between source and demand is too large or the heat does not occur at demand times. Hybrid thermo-chemical networks have a high potential to improve this situation, to transport thermal energy potential over long distances and to bridge short to medium time differences between demand and supply. The storage and transport potential of thermo-chemical substances has been identified and examined comprehensively. However, none of the studies addressed the replacement of water by thermo-chemical fluids (TCF) in district networks. Therefore this paper elaborates the use of TCF in such networks. First, it elaborates technological application cases showing the theoretical potential to reduce primary energy consumption up to 85%. Second, it presents technological components that have been developed for thermo-chemical systems.