Heating and cooling with wastewater – Wienkanal
THERMAFLEX DEMO PROJECT: Use of waste heat from wastewater for heating and cooling
This demo is part of the lead-project ThermaFLEX that has been completed successfully. Download the final report.
Objective of the project ThermaFLEX heating and cooling with wastewater – Wienkanal
The project is working on the implementation of an innovative energetic use of wastewater for heating and cooling as a contribution to the decarbonisation of urban space using the example of the new headquarters of Wien Kanal in Vienna-Blumental.
Approach and methodology of the project ThermaFLEX heating and cooling with wastewater – Wienkanal
A combination of innovative heat exchanger and heat pump systems combined with intelligent monitoring will be used. The aim is to provide a sustainable energy supply for the headquarters. The requirements are to provide a maximum of 450 kW for heating and hot water and a maximum of 500 kW for cooling. After a detailed analysis of the effluent conditions and duct configuration, the heat exchanger elements to be used were specified in relation to the energy requirements. The heat exchanger elements, pre-configured for the prevailing conditions, were integrated directly into the existing sewer over a length of approximately 80 metres.
A key element of the design was to ensure a high degree of operational flexibility by developing an innovative monitoring and control concept, the first of its kind in Austria. Extensive sensor and measurement technology was installed to record, for example, the temperatures before and after the heat exchangers, the levels in the canal, the pressure conditions in the pipes and the flow rates. The innovative monitoring system will be used to monitor the ongoing operation to ensure the required heating and cooling capacity in the energy centre, as well as to monitor and analyse the influence on the duct operation (temperature changes, hydraulics, fill level).
Construction and commissioning of the entire system will be completed in autumn 2021. Wien Kanal is scheduled to move into its new headquarters in spring 2022, which will be accompanied by a monitoring and evaluation phase of approximately one year.
To the article “Heating and Cooling”
The following model solutions are being developed in the Heating and cooling with wastewater – Wienkanal project:
INNOVATIVE WASTE HEAT UTILIZATION IN DISTRICT HEATING SYSTEMS
Media reports on the project
Renewable wastewater energy reduces dependence on natural gas
The energy transition, in particular the phase-out of natural gas, has taken on a new urgency due to the war in Ukraine and the tense relationship between West and East. Quickly available, renewable and politically less volatile energy sources are in demand - the technology is already available in Austria, now it is time to roll it out as quickly as possible. Energy generation from waste water, for example, is said to have great potential...
To the article
