Prediction about progress in performance of district heating and cooling system using combined heat and power

This study aims to reveal the advantages of district heating and cooling system (DHC) in energy efficiency as an urban energy system in the future. In this study, an existing absorption-chiller-and-boilertype DHC plant, which utilizes large-scale combined heat and power (CHP), is chosen for a case study. We evaluate the energy-saving potential of the plant in the future by a simulation model. The simulation model is developed based on actual equipment specifications and operating conditions of the plant, and the accuracy of this model is proved to be high based on comparisons with measurement data. The results show that the energy efficiency ratio will reach 2.13 by the introduction of various measures to conserve energy, including future advanced technologies. In particular, the utilization of CHP exhibits a great energy-saving effect. However, these results depend on future technical developments