The document discusses using artificial intelligence to create value in district heating. It provides background on NODA, an AI company, and VITO, a research institute. Digitalization is driving changes in energy through increased data collection and automated analysis. A digital heat network is defined as having many sensors, automated data handling, and using analysis for optimization rather than just billing. Examples of EU projects applying AI to district heating are described. NODA's system uses forecasting, planning, tracking and building agents to integrate buildings into smart thermal grids. The role of data, information and knowledge in AI systems is covered. In conclusion, district heating is seen as important for smart cities and sustainable energy through the use of intelligent energy services.

1. Contact Tying the knot with AI
How to create every-day value in district heating using artificial intelligence

2. 2019-10-03 ©2019 VITO / NODA Intelligent Systems 2
• HQ in Karlshamn, Sweden. Offices in Malmö
and London. Partners in Belgium, Germany
and Poland
• Grid operators, building owners and
automation companies as customers in
Sweden, Poland, Benelux, UK and Germany
• Innovation focus on artificial intelligence and
data science for energy system applications
• Founded in 2005
NODA – company info

3. VITO – company info
• VITO, part of EnergyVille, is an applied,
independent research institute, offering,
amongst others, technology for the
transition to the next generation of district
heating and cooling networks
• The innovation focus includes energy
conversion technologies, thermal networks
and thermal storage
• EnergyVille includes VITO, KU Leuven, IMEC
and Hasselt University

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• The drivers of digitalization
• Digitalisation in energy
• Digitalisation in district heating and cooling (DHC)
• Smart thermal networks in practice
Agenda

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The drivers of digitalisation

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The drivers of digitalisation

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The drivers of digitalisation

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The drivers of digitalisation

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The drivers of digitalisation

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Digitalisation in energy - present

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Digitalisation in energy - future

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Digitalisation in DHC
what makes a heat network a digital heat network?
No univocal definition yet…
…but some criteria:
• Large number of sensors present in the network
• Automated recording, transfer and storage of data
• Automated analyses of data
• The analyses are used:
• Not only automated billing
• But to optimize the network operation

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Digitalisation in DHC
what makes a heat network a digital heat network?
No univocal definition yet…
…but some criteria:
• Large number of sensors present in the network
• Automated recording, transfer and storage of data
• Automated analyses of data
• The analyses are used:
• Not only automated billing
• But to optimize the network operation
Source: Lund H. Werner S. et al. 4th Generation District Heating (4GDH) Integrating smart thermal
grids into future sustainable energy systems. Energy 68 (2014) 1-11

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Foundation for innovation
STORM – https://www.storm-dhc.eu/ TEMPO – http://tempo-dhc.eu/

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System overview

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Forecaster
Creates forecasts of heat
demand and available
thermal flexibility
Planner
Creates control plans based on
current forecasts and system
constraints
Tracker
Distribute control actions among
the connected buildings
Building
Software agent for each individual
building or other flexibility source
within the Smart Heat Grid
NODA API
Secure access to data and
functionality, e.g. for SCADA’s,
mobile apps or customised system
components´
NODA Access
Processes and tools to integrate
buildings and other external
resources
EnergyView
Web-based user interface for the
Smart Heat Grid
System overview

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Information
Data
Knowledge

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District heating and cooling is the backbone of the smart city and a cornerstone of the
future sustainable energy system

25. ContactIntelligent energy services
Dr. Christian Johansson, CTO
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dirk.vanhoudt@vito.be christian.johansson@noda.se