Details
Description
The PITAGORAS project focused on the efficient integration of city districts with industrial parks through smart thermal grids. Technologies and concepts for low and medium temperature waste heat recovery, considering as well integration with renewable energy sources (RES), and heat (and power) supply to cities were developed and demonstrated.
As many of the technologies and concepts considered in the PITAGORAS project are not yet widely regarded as a reliable heating energy source (even they are already proven technologies), the application of these measures often fails even before cost issues are discussed. To change this negative view, best practice projects are essential. The two demonstration plants that were built and monitored as part of this project made a significant contribution towards achieving this goal.
Map
Project demonstration sites
PITAGORAS Site Brescia
City
PITAGORAS Site Kremsmünster
City
Objective
The overall objective of the project was to demonstrate a highly replicable, cost-effective and high energy efficiency large scale energy generation system that allows sustainable urban planning of very low-energy city districts.
The following systems and concepts were developed:
- Waste heat recovery systems
- Organic Rankine Cycle for heat and power generation
- The seasonal thermal energy storage system
- Solar thermal energy
- Innovative tools for efficient energy management of the system
The concept of the project was demonstrated at two different European cities: Brescia (Italy) and Graz (Austria).
- Demonstration plant in Brescia: medium/high temperature waste heat recovery (≈600ºC) from a steel foundry and ORC unit (2.1 MWe) for heat and power generation. It was connected to the existing city district heating network.
- Demonstration plant in Graz: Large scale solar thermal plant (≈10.000m2) with seasonal thermal energy storage (≈40.000m3). The system also used waste heat from nearby industry and it was connected to the existing city district heating network.
Related topics
Energy Carriers
- Waste heat
Energy Systems Types
- Sustainable Generation
- Co-generation
Thematic Field
- Energy System(s) Integration