Optimal control of district heating networks using a reduced order model

Abstract: We study the optimal control of district heating networks using a reduced order model based on a system theoretic description close to the underlying Euler equations. In the presented scenarios, the central task is to limit the maximal feed-in power occurring as a product of control and state variables. The underlying dynamics of heating networks acting as optimization constraints pose the central computational complexity, prohibiting the determination of an optimal control online. The advection of the injected energy density on the network results in an index-1, quadratic in state differential algebraic equation, challenging to reduce. The suggested reduced model decreases the computation time of the optimization significantly. The effectiveness of the presented approach is demonstrated for an existing, large-scale heating network including changes of flux directions.