Modeling thermal energy distribution and transmission networks for household consumption through comparative analysis

Abstract

The high costs of energy supply and variable energy demands in consumption units, especially domestic consumption in different time frames, have accelerated technological developments for the proper use of energy resources to reduce energy consumption. The design of a distribution network for consumption depends on environmental conditions, equipment locations, consumer demands, consumption simultaneity factor, and some other parameters. These factors can mitigate energy loss in transmission networks. This study analyzes effective factors in the thermal energy distribution and transmission systems from generators to household consumers by considering the energy consumption rates in units based on a mathematical model to increase energy consumption in teams and rely on consumption during transmission. For this purpose, energy demands were evaluated in consumption units in a sample one-year project. The results were employed to design an optimal network for transferring energy from generators to consumers by modeling the distribution system. In this study, the thermal energy distribution and transmission network for domestic consumption was assessed and ranked have been assessed and ranked through single-stage distribution (SSD), multistage distribution (MSD), and MSD with the flow bypass method. The results of simulating the MSD system with the flow bypass method indicated the optimal performance of the proposed system in both consumer and generator sectors. This method also reduced fuel consumption by 6.09% and increased electricity consumption of the transmission network by 95% compared with single-stage transmission networks. Moreover, the method yielded a 6.03% reduction in the total cost of energy consumed to provide the thermal load of the building compared with SSD on a yearly basis.