This module delves into district cooling systems, covering combined heat and cold production, waste heat utilization, renewable energy applications, cold production technologies, refrigerants, and economic and environmental aspects. Learners will also explore real-life projects and case studies to understand practical implementations.
Main topics covered in the module
Combined Heat and Cold Production
- Heating and cooling principles
- Simultaneous heating and cooling applications
- Technology for heat pumps and chillers
- Integration of heat pumps, configurations, and refrigerants
- Current technology of heat pumps for simultaneous heating and cooling production
- Waste heat
- Renewable energies
Cold Production Technologies
- Chillers
- Absorption refrigeration machines
- Thermal storage
- Combination of mechanically driven systems and thermal energy-driven absorption systems
Refrigerants
- History and Evolution
- Classifications
- Safety Classifications
- Current refrigerants and its applications
- Environmental impact
- Future of the refrigerants
Economic and environmental aspects
- Density demand
- Viability of district cooling compared to other technologies
- Environmental impact of district cooling (depth analysis)
- Optimization of district cooling technologies (to improve the environmental impact and reduce the economic costs)
Realised projects and case studies
- Successful district cooling projects using chillers with different climates
- Performance and energy savings using chillers in DC
- Design, installation, and operation of the heat pump in district cooling projects
- Best practices for integrating heat pumps into district cooling infrastructure, including considerations for system sizing, thermal storage, and control strategies
Learning Outcomes (skills and competences)
Upon completion of this module, learners will be able to:
- Understand the principles and technologies of district cooling systems.
- Analyze combined heat and cold production processes and their efficiencies.
- Evaluate the integration of heat pumps, chillers, and renewable energy sources in district cooling networks.
- Assess the environmental impact of refrigerants and district cooling technologies.
- Apply optimization strategies to enhance system performance and reduce economic and environmental costs.