Cold district heating networks for sustainable neighbourhood planning

In a residential district equipped with a cold district heating network, thermal energy is extracted locally at central points in close proximity and distributed to households within the surrounding settlement via a pipeline system. The short distances to end users improve system efficiency, while the pipelines can be operated at lower temperatures and therefore do not require additional insulation. Renewable energy sources such as geothermal probes, surface collectors

or PKS-THERMPIPE systems can be used and freely combined as required. The building connection is established via supply and return lines in which a heat transfer medium circulates at temperatures between −5 °C and +25 °C. To enable the use of this thermal energy for heating and cooling, heat pumps raise the temperature level within the buildings. If the electricity required for operation is supplied from renewable sources, the system can operate in a CO₂-neutral manner.