Stakeholder-centric model for efficient district heating: Networks interconnection and industrial waste heat in north-eastern Italy

The study investigates the interconnection of district heating networks as a solution to enhance energy efficiency and accelerate the decarbonisation of thermal systems. The research focuses on analysing the environmental and economic performance resulting from the integration of two independent district heating networks located within the same urban area and supplied by industrial heat sources and cogeneration systems. To this aim a mathematical model describing the behaviour of the system representing the interconnection of the two district heating networks has been developed. Since different stakeholders are involved in the system, a multi-objective optimization approach is adopted, through a genetic algorithm (MOGA-II). The results of the model application to the case of Udine highlight that the proposed initiative improves system energy efficiency, reduces fossil energy consumption and energy dissipation compared to the current scenario, while ensuring excellent economic performance by lowering energy supply costs. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis assesses the robustness of the results under variable network conditions.