PNDC Thermal Demonstration and Innovation Facility

PNDC is in the process of expanding its experimental validation, test and demonstration activities in the area of whole energy systems. To support this expansion, PNDC intends to procure a test and demonstration infrastructure for low carbon thermal technologies and systems. The concept design for the facility includes the provision of a highly flexible, controllable heat network which is capable of testing a variety of low carbon thermal technologies (heat pumps, fuel cells, CHP units, heat exchangers, heat interface units, thermal stores etc). The system features: - Multiple separate heat networks based on a range of outputs, (e.g. 0-50kW, 50-200kW and 200-500kW), which can be combined into a single network, allowing multiple low carbon technologies of different capacities to be tested simultaneously, mimicking real life heat network scenarios. This should be scalable to allow for future expansion. - Flexible network configurations, allowing multiple low carbon sources to be connected, in series or parallel and at different locations in the network. - A separate cooling network. - Six test cells, with flexible connections to allow various technologies to be connected to the heat network, in series and in parallel and at different locations in the network. This includes a dedicated test cell for hydrogen technologies. - A primary heat source serving all heat networks (~750kW rated capacity) and thermal storage. - A thermal load emulation capability based on the use of Plate Heat Exchangers, so that real-world load profiles can be replicated. - Fully automated SCADA system across all networks and linked to a central control room, inclusive of all heat/flow meters, temperature/pressure sensors/alarms and control interfaces.