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Integration of heat and gas distribution grids into DEMKit

Type: Master's Assignment
Programme: Computer Science, Embedded Systems, Sustainable Energy Technology
Contact: Gerwin Hoogsteen

Abstract

The energy transition asks for novel solutions to deliver the required energy to customers. To a large extend, this supply is in the form of electricity, flowing through the electricity grid. However, other forms of energy, such as heat and (synthetic) gas also play a major role in the futuristic sustainable supply chain. Furthermore, the energy mix heavily depends on the geopgraphic location.

To investigate the efficiency of supply of energy, it is of importance to have not only models of the consumers and producers of energy, but also the link between them. In previous studies, we found that the physical infrastructure of the electricity grid forms a good basis for the energy optimization algorithm structure to reduce distribution losses. Now, we’d like to investigate if the physical structure of other energy carrier networks have similar properties. Within our simulator, DEMKit, we are already able to perform multi-commodity energy profile optimization for the whole hybrid energy system, but the grid infrastructure is currently missing.

Your task is to integrate heat and/or gas network models and a flow solver into our DEMKit simulator. Special care should be taken to choose an efficient algorithm, which makes it possible to perform multiple simulations to test whether a proposed planning fits the physical constraints. Furthermore, from the obtained knowledge, we expect recommendations and a prototype of an (adapted) optimization approach that makes use of the added models and knowledge.