Sheffield's Low Carbon Heat Network and Its Energy Storage Potential

This research investigates the potential for integration of heat storage into district heating networks, focusing on three varied case studies in the city of Sheffield. Each case study has implications for the future development of district heating and heat storage. The first case study concerned the potential for heat storage operating alongside proposed CHP units at the University of Sheffield. Heat demand data from the university was analysed to understand variations due to occupancy, weather conditions and other factors. Scenario modelling using Visual Basic algorithms simulated the operation of a new gas-fired CHP installation. Using heat storage was demonstrated to enhance the commercial and carbon benefits for the university from the CHP. The second case study involved working with Sheffield Forgemasters to assess potential for waste heat recovery and supply to an emerging district heating scheme. Site visits and dialogue allowed for estimation of the quantity, intermittency and temperature of waste heat resources. A novel computer programme was developed to simulate the effects of various parameters on the viability of heat storage with results highlighting a role to manage the production of waste heat as well as wider benefits for the CHP plant and the heat network. The third case study considered the operation of a city-wide heat network where established and emerging heat networks were interconnected. The running priority for the two CHP plants was optimised by an algorithm selecting heat production from the source of minimum cost. The environmental and economic impacts of interconnection and the addition of heat storage were evaluated. Overall, this thesis improves understanding of the role of heat storage as the importance of both energy storage and heat networks are growing. This work has benefited from collaboration with private and public sectors, providing valuable information for policy makers and for identifying future research directions.