Tools for Planning Energy Efficient District Systems

An open-source planning tool for the evaluation district cooling systems is developed within project INDIGO. The tool is based on optimisation model consisting of a defined set of components in a district cooling (DC) system. The approach links up the whole energy chain from consumption to resources achieve an optimal solution. The tool will enable assessment on effects of single components on a system level and provide data for comparison from energy efficiency, economic feasibility and the climate impact point of view. Life cycle assessment (LCA) framework will be utilised as a method for both economic feasibility and climate impact evaluation. This paper
reviews the related projects and positions INDIGO planning tool in this context.