FunkSTA

In the FunkSTA project, the use of radio-based operating data from the heating network of the city of Aachen is being investigated with the help of our project partners (Stadtwerke Aachen AG, regio iT, RWTH Aachen University). The goal is to better map the network's operating behavior based on live measurement data and to derive a much better and more comprehensive understanding of the system. In many current heating networks, detailed monitoring of producers and feed-in units is implemented, but this is not the case for individual consumers. Through a consistent and high-resolution recording of all consumers in the Aachen district heating network, as well as the provision of data via the MQTT protocol (https://mqtt.org), improved fault detection and reporting can be achieved, as well as more accurate capture of the network's operating parameters.

In the sub-project 'Kalibrierung und Anwendung dynamischer Systemsimulation zur Planung und Betriebsoptimierung' (Calibration and Application of Dynamic System Simulation for Planning and Operation Optimization), heatbeat examines the usability of the available measurement data for calibrating the dynamic simulation models for the district heating network in Aachen. Essentially, two goals are pursued: firstly, calibrated simulation models enable optimization of network operation, and secondly, they can contribute to the evaluation of expansion scenarios and transformation plans. Therefore, an automated calibration of our simulation models will be carried out in the course of the project, which can be repeated with an increasingly larger dataset over time, providing better results throughout the project. At the same time, various options for operational optimization will be evaluated based on the calibrated simulation models and STAWAG's experts. This can include targeted statements on possible return temperature reductions or heating curve adjustments, for example. In addition, the calibrated simulation models will be used to evaluate various transformation scenarios in the district heating network in Aachen. The challenge here is the future decentralized integration of regeneratively generated heat into the network. The resulting adjustments in network operation can be taken into account in the early planning phase through simulative examination. The FunkSTA project demonstrates the potential of our heatbeat Digital Twin for planning and operation optimization. Plus, we are specifically developing it for applications in other networks too.