Valid for: 2023/24
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering, LTH
Decided by: PLED M
Date of Decision: 2023-04-11
Elective for: F4, F4-es, I4, M4-en, W4-es, W4-et, MHET2
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English
The course aim is to, introduce and later deepen insights with district heating and cooling and the multifaceted problems/challenges belonging to the subject. The course aims to provide the students with the insight of what it is like to work within different roles in a district heating company. The student will try out these roles in various assignments and learn different: perspectives, skill sets and get acquainted with what it is like to work as an engineer in the energy industry.
Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must
• District heating and cooling, its advantages and disadvantages.
• District heating and cooling, its technical function, production, distribution and usage.
• District heating and cooling and its importance within the energy system.
• Recent research results within district heating and cooling.
• The function of a substation and examples of customer installations.
Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must
Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must
The attributes and characteristics assigned to district heating and cooling: economy-of-scope, economy-of-size, flexibility, environmental impacts and customer relations.
Supply/distribution: security and malfunction, temperature, pressure, substation (heat exchangers, pumps, heat meter, difference in space heating and tap water, control valves, sensors, control unit), pipes (construction, components, placements, welding, isolation, types, function), dimension, flow, leaks and common components.
Production: Common fuels/production types, waste heat, combined heat and power, ”production portfolios”, connections to other district heating and cooling-grids, transfer, scale, heat demand, system density, accumulators, organisation.
Usage house/apartment heat loads, internal distribution, radiators, hot water circulation, comfort, indoor temperature, floor heating, hot water usage, appliances, temperature.
District heating and cooling development in Sweden and its future progress, that is lower temperatures (future district heating and cooling generations), cheaper distribution, longer transfers, connection/in relation to increasing electricity use, electrifying transport, climate change (both heat demand changes and environmental aspects), fuel prices, carbon-capture, waste management, nuclear, heat flexibility/storage and digitalisation.
Grading scale: TH - (U,3,4,5) - (Fail, Three, Four, Five)
Assessment: The student assessment will be 3 parts:
Three Quizzes with multiple choice, based on course literature (Swedish; ”Duggor”) to test student knowledge of general and particular knowledge of dhdc.
-Three group assignments handed in with completed assignments to test the student knowledge on skills with in a dhdc context.
-Three seminars with mandatory presence.
An optional written examination for grades of 4 and 5.
The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.
The number of participants is limited to: No
The course overlaps following course/s: MVKN40, MVKN10
Examinator: Marcus Thern, marcus.thern@energy.lth.se
Course coordinator: Axel Johansson, axel.johansson@energy.lth.se
Course homepage: https://www.energy.lth.se/english/education/
Further information: Participation at the course introduction is mandatory, to ensure that all students are included in the construction of mandatory student groups.