Smart physical models
- Combines both hydraulic and thermodynamic models
- Defines time lags and heat propagation
- Fills in the blanks with AI, based on available sensor data
Start saving energy and
reduce emissions with Gradyent
There is an increased pressure on both cost efficiency and emission reduction. Therefore, heating networks are trying to reduce temperatures while adding more sustainable heat sources. This results in highly complex heating networks.
Current Situation
Vision of modern networks
In the meantime, many district energy networks have old or even outdated control systems due to legacy in hard & software with limited or no dynamic optimization.
Current Control Systems
Modern Control Systems
The Gradyent Digital Twin is specially designed for heating networks. In this case, a digital twin is a virtual simulation of a physical heating network. This allows for multiple simulation scenarios and analytics and therefore results in the most optimal settings for the network, any time all the time.
Used by some of the largest District Heating networks in Europe
Transform your heating network with the power of the Gradyent Digital Twin
Our platform creates value for the following application areas.
A common issue for District Heating networks is that heat losses are too high. This is driven by too high temperatures in the system. Additionally, we often see that it is difficult to oversee the critical constraint of the network. By simulating the grid and advanced granular demand forecasts, new insights (e.g. forward temperatures) can be found while typical constraints (e.g. minimal temperature at consumers) are always met.
In some cases, the hydraulics of the system are considered a given. Although sometimes unpredictable, pressure issues at lower temperatures occur, or unreliable pump operation results in trips. Using our holistic and dynamic modelling approach, new opportunities arise by improving both pressure and flows, leading to energy savings.
To support multiple heat sources (e.g. Geothermal) in the network and operating on lower temperatures implies questions about which heat source needs to be utilized first, second, etc. (the so-called merit order). What will become the ‘stand-still’ points then? And how does that function in times of high electricity pricing? These are complex matters but with great emissions and financial gains.
Driven by EU regulations, most of the District Heating operators have plans to invest or are already investing in smart meters. Most of the asset owners see these investments as high, mandatory, and only useful for improved invoicing processes. We also see the opportunity of using the data to granularly train the Digital Twin to an even higher extend (without compromising GDPR regulations, of course).
Peaks in the network are important drivers for the network design and therefore the costs. Currently, some operators are making complex agreements with large customers for peak shifting. With our dynamic and holistic grid approach, we can capitalize on the potential network storage to some extent without the complex agreements.
Flexible solutions to utilize our platform based on your needs
Approximately 50% of all energy consumption in the world is used for heating and cooling. District heating networks are a large portion of this. At Gradyent, we have the ambition to assist District Heating companies in applying new technologies as our Digital Twin to strongly reduce energy consumption. For our planet, more than 10% reduction of heat losses, results in the following.
More than 2.5 billion Megaton CO2 emissions prevented annually
More than 1 billion m³ natural gas saved annually
Sector profitability up by more than 3B€ with many networks co-owned by the public
45-70 PJ (petajoule) lower heat losses
Get in touch
We would like to hear from you. Here is how you can reach us.
Stationsplein 45, Unit D2.112, 3013 AK Rotterdam
info@gradyent.ai
+31 10 3070 301