Wireless sensor networks for optimumisation of district heating

The upgrading of the DH system through installing wireless sensor networks (WSN) - a technology by which to monitor and control quality operation of the DH system - will lead to more effective use of thermal energy, enabling also the provision of quality customer services, as the data concerning the status of the existing networks is available in a timely manner, and in the stated amounts. Over the last decades the use of WSN systems in enabling quality monitoring of heat production and supply process has been widely discussed among various researchers and industry experts, but has been little deployed in practice. These researchers and industry experts have analysed the advantages and constraints related to the use of the WSN in district heating. A pilot project conducted by Riga Heat (the main heating supplier in Riga, Latvia) has allowed to gain a real life experience as to the use of the WSN system in district in-house heating substations, and is deemed to be a major step towards future development of WSN technologies.