A technical guide to district heating (FB 72)
BRE (Building Research Establishment) is an independent, research-based consultancy, testing and training organisation, operating in the built environment and associated industries.
On 2 December 2014, BRE published A technical guide to district heating (FB 72) by Robin Wiltshire, Jonathan Williams and Paul Woods.
District heating (DH) allows centralised heat sources to be connected to distributed heat consumers. Typically it comprises; one or more energy centres, the pipe network, and connections to consumers. The high heat loads compared to individual, independent systems allow economies of scale and smoother demand, leading to more efficient operation of the energy centre. It also allows the use of heat sources that would not be viable at a smaller scale.
FB 72 presents comprehensive information outlining system and component design, operation and maintenance. The 54 page guide is largely an update of Good Practice Guide 234, Guide to community heating and CHP, but it has been extended to emphasise the importance of other low-carbon sources of heat other than combined heat and power (CHP) including thermal renewable energy.
The guide focuses on technical rather than financial issues and will be useful for anyone involved in the technical aspects of district heating networks, whether on new or refurbishment schemes.
Its contents include:
- Executive summary.
- Introduction.
- What is district heating?
- System design.
- Component design.
- Operations and maintenance.
- References.
- Relevant standards, codes of practice and publications.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BRE Buzz articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BSRIA guide to heat interface units.
- Building Research Establishment.
- Combined heat and power.
- Community energy network.
- Geothermal energy.
- Heat interface units.
- Heat meter.
- Heat Networks Investment Project HNIP.
- Municipal energy - briefing sheet.
- National heat map.
- Water source heat map.
- What can government do about district heating.
Featured articles and news
A briefing on fall protection systems for designers
A legal requirement and an ethical must.
CIOB Ireland launches manifesto for 2024 General Election
A vision for a sustainable, high-quality built environment that benefits all members of society.
Local leaders gain new powers to support local high streets
High Street Rental Auctions to be introduced from December.
Infrastructure sector posts second gain for October
With a boost for housebuilder and commercial developer contract awards.
Sustainable construction design teams survey
Shaping the Future of Sustainable Design: Your Voice Matters.
COP29; impacts of construction and updates
Amid criticism, open letters and calls for reform.
The properties of conservation rooflights
Things to consider when choosing the right product.
Adapting to meet changing needs.
London Build: A festival of construction
Co-located with the London Build Fire & Security Expo.
Tasked with locating groups of 10,000 homes with opportunity.
Delivering radical reform in the UK energy market
What are the benefits, barriers and underlying principles.
Information Management Initiative IMI
Building sector-transforming capabilities in emerging technologies.
Recent study of UK households reveals chilling home truths
Poor insulation, EPC knowledge and lack of understanding as to what retrofit might offer.
Embodied Carbon in the Built Environment
Overview, regulations, detail calculations and much more.
Why the construction sector must embrace workplace mental health support
Let’s talk; more importantly now, than ever.
Ensuring the trustworthiness of AI systems
A key growth area, including impacts for construction.