Coordinated by Veolia, As an associate of AVEBIOM, the consortium has included the participation of technology centers such as CARTIF and companies like Quintin Curved (BioCurve), both associates of AVEBIOM, and funding from CDTI.
During three years of work, TERA_RED It has addressed the theoretical design of these new thermal networks and their real validation through a test bench in which different renewable technologies have been integrated and operate together.
By operating at lower temperatures than conventional heating networks, these infrastructures reduce distribution losses, improve the overall performance of generation systems, and also expand the range of renewable and heat recovery technologies that can be efficiently integrated into the network: the heat pumps They operate with much higher COPs; the geothermal It enters directly without large temperature jumps; the condensation biomass It performs better with cold returns; the waste heat recovery It becomes viable; and thermal storage operates with fewer losses.
Condensation with biomass, heat pumps and geothermal energy
Biomass condensation systems adapted to cold returns, cascade heat pumps capable of covering different thermal levels, geothermal solutions with seasonal storage, and reversible heat and cold production equipment have been integrated. Beyond achieving better performance from each team individually, the greatest effort has been to improve the overall behavior, control strategies, and the system's ability to respond to variable and simultaneous demands.
The biomass in condensing equipment It is confirmed as a perfect option for generating manageable renewable energy within these 5G networks. Low-temperature operation allows for better utilization of combustion gas condensation, increasing seasonal efficiency and reducing specific energy consumption.
Integrated into a hybrid system, biomass acts as a firm renewable backup, providing stability when the contribution of other sources such as geothermal energy decreases or when peaks in thermal demand occur.
The project has also made progress in optimizing combustion and in particle control solutions, reinforcing the environmental compatibility of these technologies with the most demanding air quality standards.
Model different configurations
In addition, TERA_RED has developed an advanced techno-economic simulation tool that allows modeling different network configurations, combining technologies, analyzing real heat and cooling demand profiles, and comparing costs and emissions.
Alongside the physical bank, TERA_RED has developed a tool for dynamic techno-economic simulation capable of modeling different network topologies (centralized, decentralized or mixed); combinations of technologies and installed power; hourly profiles of thermal and cooling demand; and investment, operation and associated emissions costs.
This platform, calibrated with experimental data, reduces uncertainty in design phases and makes it easier for engineering firms, developers, and energy companies to assess the feasibility of new renewable thermal network projects.
The new generation of thermal networks, Systems that combine renewable energy (including condensation biomass), storage and advanced control can contribute significantly to decarbonizing one of the major challenges remaining in the energy transition: heat.
The TERA_RED project provides technical evidence that integrating technologies is viable and scalable. The next step will be to translate these architectures into demonstration projects and commercial deployments.