Networks of the future

Unlike a conventional heating network, with its centralized architecture, a very low-temperature network can be supplied by a very large number of thermal energy production or recovery points. By becoming multi-source, the network increases its coverage by inexpensive or even free renewable and recovered sources. Managing these numerous sources and optimizing network operation requires the introduction of intelligent equipment. Like the smarts grids now well known for electricity, the installation of communicating sensors, computing capacity and interfaces for controlling the various elements enables the multi-source network to operate optimally, just like thermal smarts grids. Electric and thermal smarts grids can also be interconnected, to enhance the flexibility of the whole system.