Upgrade DH
Upgrade DH: Upgrading the Performance of District Heating Networks in Europe

News & Events



Final Upgrade DH Project Report is available
Press Release - District Heating: an important contributor to support the energy transition in the heating sector
29.09.2021 District Heating: an important contributor to support the energy transition in the heating sector
09.07.2021 Check the brochure "District heating and cooling - a modern solution to traditional challenges"
09.07.2021 Join German expert knowlede sharing workshop on 18.08.2021
02.07.2021 Join the Final Upgrade DH Conference on 15 September 2021
29.06.2021 Energy transition - Lithuania sets records in speed and scope
14.06.2021 Video on solar thermal energy in district heating
26.05.2021 Join the Virtual Power Plant Tour and Webinar on Efficient and Renewable Heat Networks on 16.06.2021
27.04.2021 Press release - UpgradeDH recommendations to support national District Heating & Cooling Action Plans
07.04.2021 Tuzla joins #DHCities in the campaign We are all connected
12.02.2021 Join the webinar Retrofitting DHC - How to develop a successful action plan, 23.02.2021
14.01.2021 Webinar: Retrofitting with renewable energies - finding the right mix, 26.01.2021
30.10.2020 Online Upgrade DH Workshop on 12.11.2020 alongside the KeepWarm final event
30.10.2020 Photo competition Meet the ones who keep you warm! in the framework of the #DHCitizen campaign
02.10.2020 Digital Event: The Future of district heating in Italy
EU project UpgradeDH launches campaign: Become a #DHCitizen!
3.07.2019 New handbook on upgrading district heating grids in Europe published
27.05.2020 Webinar on upgrading heat distribution and piping technologies
29.04.2020: A series of public thematic webinars by UpgradeDH partners
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Ferrara and Bologna, Italy

The DH networks in Ferrara and Bologna are located in the northern Italian region Emilia-Romagna, counting respectively about 130,000 and 380,000 inhabitants.

The network in Ferrarahas already achieved significant results, but represents a perfect field to test advanced improvement strategies. As of 2014 the network is 56 km long, with 591 users’ substations, delivering approximately 143 GWht/a. The energy mix is a combination of geothermal source (14 MWt), WTE (30 MWt) and gas boilers, including a significant storage system (1,200 m3). The average temperature levels are 90°C on the supply line and 60°C on the return line.

The DH supplied heat to 1,143 consumers on 31/12/2017, 880 of which are residential.

Geotermal source with 2+2 storage system

WTE

Gas boilers

The network “Berti-Pichat” in Bologna presents some significant challenges since it comprises two-temperature level (120 °C and 90 °C) heat and chill networks. As of 2014, the hot water network is 6 km long and the cold water network is 0.77 km long, with 47 users’ substations, delivering approximately 28 GWht/a. The energy mix comprises 2 separate 2.4 MWel CHP units (gas-powered endothermal engines), some gas boilers, absorption and compression chillers. The average supply/return temperatures are 120-70°C and 90-65°C for the two-level heat distribution and 6-12°C for the chill distribution.

The DH supplied heat to 58 consumers on 31/12/2017.

CHP units

Gas boilers

The network “Ecocity” in Bologna is, as of 2014, 7.4 km long with 54 users’ substations, delivering approximately 22 GWht/a. The energy mix features 2 separate 1.85 MWel CHP units (gas-powered endothermal engines), a small heat storage (80 m3) and gas boilers. The average temperature levels are 90°C on the supply line and 65°C on the return line.

The DH supplied heat to 1,246 consumers on 31/12/2017, of which about 95% are residential.

Cogeneration plant

The network “Barca” in Bologna is, as of 2014, 15 km long, with 120 users’ substations, delivering approximately 50 GWht/a. The energy mix involves 2 separate 3.9 MWel cogenerative gas turbines, presenting some challengingly tight technical constraints, and gas boilers. The average supply/return temperatures are 120-70°C and 90-65°C in a two-level heat distribution grid.

The DH supplied heat to 237 consumers on 31/12/2017, of which about 95% are residential.

Potential improvement measures have been identified in advanced remote monitoring, heat generation and dispatching optimization, network pressure optimization, as well as interconnecting Bologna Berti-Pichat with the nearby San Giacomo generation plant (gas boilers).

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