| Abstract [eng] |
The aim of this Master's thesis is to evaluate the performance of the Salininkai District Heating Network (DHN) in Vilnius, Lithuania, and propose a transformation roadmap aligned with 4th Generation District Heating (4GDH) principles. The study focuses on improving system efficiency and reducing primary energy consumption in a network serving 46 buildings with two natural gas-fired boilers, facing challenges such as heat transmission losses and outdated infrastructure. Multiple upgrade scenarios are simulated using EnergyPRO, including the integration of 1 MW air-to-water electric heat pump, large-scale thermal energy storage, and on-site solar photovoltaic generation. Additionally, structural improvements such as repositioning of heat sources and decentralization strategies are explored. The proposed alternatives are evaluated through energy demand and loss scenarios, overall system efficiency, and primary energy factor (PEF) calculations and finally vetted by technical and economic evaluation, environmental impact assessment and sensitivity analysis. The research concludes with strategic recommendations for transforming Salininkai DHN into a modern, sustainable, and resilient heating system, potentially serving as a model for similar urban heating networks in cold-climate European cities. The work consists of 7 parts apart from introduction: relevance and articulation of problem statement, sustainable modernization concept development, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, conclusions followed by recommendation and references. The thesis includes 100 pages of main text, 49 figures, 7 tables, 8 equations, and 86 bibliographic entries. The supplement is included separately. |
