Predictive control of district heating network using fuzzy DMC

This paper presents a concept for controlling the supply temperature in district heating networks (DHN) using model predictive control. Due to the inherent nonlinearity in the response characteristics caused by varying flow rates the use of Fuzzy Direct Matrix Control (DMC) is proposed. The fuzzy regions of the local Finite Impulse Response (FIR) models are determined by an axis-orthogonal, incremental partitioning scheme. It is demonstrated that the Fuzzy DMC performs well for the case study considered. In addition, different set point strategies are applied and the results are evaluated with respect to operational cost. In this context it is shown that the trade-off between pumping and heat loss cost plays an important role in minimizing overall cost.