Advanced systems in District Heating and Cooling

Improve DHC network performance through lower return temperatures, better secondary-side design and malfunction detection

1. Module overview

This module explores advanced approaches for improving the performance of district heating and cooling (DHC) networks. It focuses on how existing networks can be operated more efficiently, how return temperatures can be reduced, and how the integration of renewable and low-temperature energy sources can be supported through better system design and control.

The module pays particular attention to the interaction between the primary district heating network and the building-side hydronic systems. It discusses common sources of underperformance, including leakages, secondary-side malfunctions, control valve and actuator problems, control system issues and heat exchanger fouling. It also introduces practical methods for detecting anomalies and faults in substations and customer installations.

The module is primarily designed as a reusable teaching resource for educators, lecturers and trainers. It can support lectures, blended learning activities, classroom discussions, technical exercises, case studies and continuing professional development training. Students and professionals may also use the materials for independent study, especially if they already have basic knowledge of district heating and cooling systems, substations, hydronic systems and basic data analysis.

2. Main topics covered in the module

  • Current state of district heating and cooling in Europe
  • European DHC development trends, renewable energy integration and policy context
  • DHC network performance and the role of return temperature reduction
  • Common malfunctions and underperformance issues in DHC networks
  • Secondary-side hydronic systems and their impact on network performance
  • Building-side design choices: emitters, pumps, control valves, DHW systems and substations
  • Heat tariff models and incentives for improving customer-side performance
  • Anomaly detection and fault detection methods
  • Practical indicators used by DHC operators
  • Detection of blocked valves, heat exchanger fouling and unsuitable DHW operation
  • Dynamic modelling, control and optimisation of DHC networks

3. Learning Outcomes (skills and competences)

Upon completion of this module, learners will be able to:

  • Explain why improving DHC network performance is essential for renewable energy integration and decarbonisation.
  • Define the consequences of non-optimal DHC network operation.
  • Identify the main causes of underperformance and malfunction in DHC networks.
  • Explain how secondary-side hydronic systems influence primary network return temperature.
  • Compare different technical options for improving building-side and substation performance.
  • Identify suitable solutions for improving DHC network operation.
  • Apply simple fault detection indicators to selected DHC operation problems.
  • Distinguish between anomaly detection and fault detection approaches.
  • Interpret basic operational data related to DHC substations.
  • Understand the role of dynamic modelling and control strategies in advanced DHC operation.
  • Create or interpret a simple DHC model in the context of system analysis or optimisation.

4. Recommended use of the materials

The materials can be used flexibly in higher education and professional training contexts. Educators and trainers may adapt the guidebook, slides, quiz questions and exercises according to the level, format and objectives of their own teaching.

For educators and trainers

Educators may use the module in the following way:

  • Review the module overview and learning outcomes: Use the overview and learning outcomes to identify how the module fits into your course, training programme or existing curriculum.
  • Select the relevant guidebook sections: The guidebook can be used as core reading material, supplementary reading or background material for selected topics. Specific sections may be assigned for independent study before or after classroom sessions.
  • Use the presentation slides for teaching: The accompanying slides can support lectures, seminars and guided discussions. They may be used as provided or adapted to the local curriculum and teaching format.
  • Integrate the quiz questions into teaching and assessment: The quiz questions can be used for classroom discussion, formative assessment, self-check activities or integration into local LMS-based tests.
  • Use the case studies and application exercises for applied learning: The exercises can support classroom work, group activities, homework assignments or project-based learning. They focus on engineering-oriented analysis of DHC network operation, hydronic configurations, malfunction detection and performance improvement.

For independent learners

Students and professionals using the module independently may follow the sequence below:

  • Review the introductory materials: Familiarise yourself with the European DHC context, current development trends and the need for improved network performance.
  • Study the guidebook materials: Read the detailed explanations, engineering principles, performance indicators and technical recommendations presented in the guidebook.
  • Review the presentation slides: Use the slides to consolidate the main concepts and technical examples.
  • Complete the self-check quiz: Test your understanding of the key concepts, technical principles and fault detection methods covered in the module.
  • Attempt the practical exercise or case study: Apply the acquired knowledge through engineering-oriented analysis of DHC operation and performance improvement options.

5. Learning materials

This section contains the reusable teaching and learning resources related to the module. The materials are primarily designed to support educators and trainers in integrating advanced district heating and cooling topics into higher education and professional training activities. They may also be used for guided or independent learning.

5.1 Guidebook

The guidebook contains the theoretical background, engineering principles, technical recommendations and fault detection approaches covered in the module. It is intended as the core teaching resource of the module and may be used as background reading, assigned self-study material or a reference document for lectures, exercises and practical activities.

Resources

5.2 Presentation slides

The presentation slides summarize the key concepts, engineering principles, data-based indicators and system configurations covered throughout the module. The materials are designed to support both independent learning and reuse in higher education and professional training activities.

Module 5.1 – The current state of DHC in Europe

Overview of district heating and cooling development in Europe, including market penetration, installed capacity, pipe length, energy mix, renewable energy shares, policy context and future targets.

Resources

Module 5.2 – Beyond substation: How to improve DHC network performance

Introduction to the technical and operational logic of DHC performance improvement, with a particular focus on lowering return temperature, improving renewable energy integration, reducing thermal losses and understanding the effect of malfunctions on network performance.

Resources

Module 5.3 – Beyond substation: How to design the secondary side

Presentation of building-side hydronic systems and their influence on DHC network performance. The slides cover secondary-side constraints, customer-side equipment, emitters, pump and valve configurations, domestic hot water supply architectures, substation configurations and heat tariff incentives.

Resources

Module 5.4 – Detection of malfunctions

Introduction to anomaly detection and fault detection in DHC substations and networks. The slides present available and useful data, common operator methods, visualisation, thresholds, regression, classification, clustering, excess flow methods, thermal signatures and specific fault detection indicators.

Resources

5.3 Module video

The module video provides a short visual introduction to one selected topic, concept or practical aspect of the module. It is designed to support the use of the written learning materials, presentation slides and related learning activities.

The video can be used by educators as part of a lecture, blended learning activity or classroom discussion, and by learners as an additional resource for guided or independent study.

Resources

  • 🎥 Module video (coming soon)

5.4 Self-check quiz

The self-check quiz allows learners to evaluate their understanding of the main concepts and engineering principles presented in the module. Educators may also use it as a model for formative assessment or adapt the related question bank for their own teaching context.

The quiz includes questions related to:

  • DHC network performance and return temperature reduction,
  • common faults and malfunctions in DHC networks,
  • secondary-side hydronic design recommendations,
  • retrofit actions and their impact on performance,
  • heat tariff models,
  • anomaly detection and fault detection methods.

Resources

  • ✅ Start self-check quiz

5.5 Practical exercise / case study

The module includes practical engineering exercises and case studies focusing on the improvement of DHC network performance. The exercise package contains Python and Jupyter Notebook files for substation and network-level analysis, together with the necessary input, model, image and output folders.

The exercises support applied work with DHC energy modelling, network performance assessment and the analysis of substation behaviour. They may be used for classroom work, group activities, homework assignments or project-based learning. Depending on the teaching format, learners may be asked to prepare a short technical report and/or present their results orally.

The package must be downloaded and extracted before use. Learners should keep the original folder structure unchanged, as the notebooks and scripts rely on the accompanying input, model and image folders.

Resources

5.6 Question bank

The module includes a reusable question bank based on the self-check and assessment questions developed by the module authors. The resource is intended to support adaptation and reuse in higher education teaching, blended learning activities and local assessment practices.

The question bank includes:

  • multiple-choice questions,
  • short numerical application tasks,
  • questions organised by module topic,
  • items that may be used for self-check activities, classroom discussion, formative assessment or adaptation into local LMS-based quizzes.

Resources

6. Practical application

The module focuses on engineering-oriented applications related to the operation, diagnosis and improvement of district heating and cooling systems. The presented methods and examples are intended to support both conceptual understanding and practical system analysis.

Practical topics covered in the module include:

  • assessment of DHC network performance,
  • analysis of the impact of return temperature on network efficiency,
  • identification of common malfunction types,
  • comparison of secondary-side hydronic configurations,
  • evaluation of building-side retrofit options,
  • use of simple indicators for anomaly and fault detection,
  • interpretation of substation data,
  • use of simplified models or numerical tools to support performance analysis,
  • discussion of incentive-based approaches such as motivational heat tariffs.

The materials are intended not only for individual learning, but also for adaptation and reuse in higher education teaching and professional training activities.

7. Further reading and references

The module materials are supported by scientific literature, technical reports and engineering references related to district heating and cooling performance, secondary-side hydronic systems, malfunction detection and advanced DHC operation.

Key references and resources include:

  • Gadd, H. and Werner, S. — research on fault detection and low return temperatures in district heating substations.
  • Månsson, S. et al. — research on faults in district heating customer installations.
  • Fabre, A. et al. — cost-benefit study on building secondary networks for improving district heating performance.
  • Guelpa, E. and Verda, V. — automatic fouling detection in district heating substations.
  • Neumayer, M. et al. — survey on fault and anomaly detection in district heating substations.
  • Xue, P. et al. — data mining techniques for fault detection and operation optimisation in district heating substations.
  • Additional bibliography and technical references included in the guidebook materials.

8. Feedback

Educators, trainers and learners are invited to provide feedback on the module and its potential use in higher education and professional training contexts.

Feedback may address:

  • clarity and usability of the materials,
  • relevance of the engineering content,
  • applicability in teaching and training activities,
  • suitability for independent or blended learning,
  • possibilities for integration into existing courses and educational programmes,
  • usefulness of the examples, exercises and fault detection indicators.

Resources

 

Modul Details

Module 5
Estimated workload: 9.5 learning hours including lectures, case studies, self-study and assessment
Format: Open-access e-learning material for independent and guided learning, including downloadable printable resources
Target groups: Higher education students, researchers and professionals in the field of district heating and cooling
Availability: Publicly available from 2026
Developing team: PSL University (Mines Paris – PSL)
Authors: Antoine Fabre and Pascal Stabat