Diverse building load profiles on DoW installations provide an opportunity to improve energy efficiency by implementing a thermal energy network (TEN) system. By connecting various loads and heat sources/sinks on the same ambient temperature network, a TEN allows thermal loads and “free” waste heat to balance each other. If additional balancing is needed geothermal bore fields can act as an external balancing source, before relying on mechanically generated thermal energy from boilers and cooling towers. Despite its potential to improve efficiency, implementing a TEN presents challenges in achieving optimal cost benefits. This project will complete a Modelica-based comprehensive feasibility study to evaluate cost benefits of various TEN design options by comparing them with the existing system. Specifically, the technical objectives (TOs) of the feasibility study are to challenges in achieving optimal cost benefits that this study will address. The technical objectives of the feasibility study are to: 

• Evaluate the CAPEX and OPEX costs of various TEN designs using the data collected from a real-world installation.
• Develop a buildout roadmap of the TEN implementations based on Modelica-based life cycle cost analysis (LCCA).
• Enable direct technology transfer and commercialization making the TEN technology and its feasibility study approach available across the Department.

The feasibility study includes data collection and simulation-assisted analysis to inform the development of optimal design and operation strategies and LCCA to design TEN buildout roadmaps for Tinker AFB. 1) Data collection includes collecting building data and ground source data; 2) A cost-effective and high-fidelity dynamic system virtual testbed will be constructed through the integration of EnergyPlus and Modelica to investigate model-based, optimal, predictive controls during the operation stage. The optimal design of the district TEN system and its operation strategy will be identified through performance comparison of various TEN design and operation options; 3) A buildout roadmap will be developed using LCCA with the data created by the simulation testbed. 

Additionally, the feasibility study will be carried out for three different types of buildings, including administrative offices, industrial facilities, and dormitories that are typical for military installations and are usually distributed across military bases in clusters.

The immediate impact of the project is to provide an insightful buildout roadmap through simulation-based analysis. Additionally, the project will deliver a system design, modeling, and life-cycle-cost-analysis (LCCA) approach for evaluating TEN system design and analysis. Partnering with utilities, the project team will also explore the implementation options through UESC for TEN technology deployment. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2030)