An investigation into the limitations of low temperature district heating on traditional tenement buildings in Scotland

Millar, M. A. , Burnside, N. and Yu, Z. (2019) An investigation into the limitations of low temperature district heating on traditional tenement buildings in Scotland. Energies, 12(13), 2603. (doi: 10.3390/en12132603)

[img]
Preview
Text
189612.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

6MB

Abstract

Domestic heating accounts for 64% of domestic energy usage in the UK, yet there are currently very few viable options for low carbon residential heating. The government’s carbon plan commits to improving the uptake of district heating connections in new build dwellings, but the greatest carbon saving can be made through targeting traditional housing stock. This paper aims to quantify the potential carbon and energy savings that can be made by connecting a traditional tenement building to a district heating scheme. The study uses a transient system simulation tool (TRNSYS) model to simulate the radiator system in a tenement block and shows that a significant benefit can be achieved by reducing the supply temperature; however, the minimum supply temperature is drastically limited by the building condition. Therefore, the study also critically compares the benefits of a lower supply temperature against minor refurbishments. It was found that improving building conditions alone could offer a 30% reduction in space heating energy consumption, while building improvements and integration of a river source heat pump could offer almost a 70% reduction. It is the recommendation of this study that a dwelling be improved as much as economically possible to achieve the greatest carbon and energetic savings.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Burnside, Dr Neil and Yu, Professor Zhibin and Millar, Mr Michael
Authors: Millar, M. A., Burnside, N., and Yu, Z.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
Journal Name:Energies
Publisher:MDPI
ISSN:1996-1073
ISSN (Online):1996-1073
Published Online:06 July 2019
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2019 by the authors.
First Published:First published in Energies 12(13):2603
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons license

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record

Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
3007560NPIF EPSRC Doctoral - University of Glasgow 2017Neil BoweringEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/R512266/1S&E - Research Administration
3006630Geothermally Sourced Power and Freshwater Generation for Eastern AfricaZhibin YuEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/P028829/1ENG - Systems Power & Energy
704811DESTRESSNeil BurnsideEuropean Commission (EC)691728ENG - ENGINEERING SYSTEMS POWER & ENERGY
3002730An ORC power plant integrated with thermal energy storage to utilise renewable heat sources for distributed H&PProject Number; 102883Zhibin YuEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/R003122/1ENG - Systems Power & Energy
709761Thermally Driven Heat Pump Based on an Integrated Thermodynamic Cycle for Low Carbon Domestic Heating (Therma-Pump)Zhibin YuEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)EP/N020472/1ENG - ENGINEERING SYSTEMS POWER & ENERGY