ENGIE launched a pilot project in Slovakia last year to test the NODA system. This system was deployed in the thermal management in Pezinok. The aim of the project is to optimise heat production and distribution, optimise the fuel mix and reduce fuel and operating costs. A few months of operation have brought the first measurable results in the form of fuel mix optimisation.
What is NODA?
NODA is a tool that combines classical engineering with modern IT technologies and algorithms.
It is used to:
– optimizing the performance of the heating system,
– data collection and analysis,
– production-distribution-consumption interconnection,
– integration with SCADA system,
– visualization of parameters and measured variables.
For example, NODA uses big data, analytics, consumption, performance and weather forecasting, machine learning. All of these functions enable the achievement of the set main objectives, namely optimization of heat production and distribution, increase of energy efficiency and last but not least cost reduction. NODA performs all its tasks in real time. Both data collection and individual interventions in the operation of the plant in Pezinok.
How does the NODA system work?
ENGIE pilot test programme in Slovakia
ENGIE’s parent company chose Slovakia for its pilot project, as it wanted to test the system in a dual-fuel thermal management system (biomass and natural gas). And it was TH in Pezinok that met all the parameters and requirements that were necessary for the successful deployment and verification of this intelligent system. In addition to the dual-fuel base, this included automated data collection with a minimum 15-minute readout period, communication via the UA-OPC (OPC Unified Architecture / M2M – machine to machine communication) interface and communication with the SCADA system. Another, equally important part of the whole project was the addition of temperature sensors in selected apartments in Pezinok.
“The Pezinok heating plant is an ideal project for testing the NODA system. Between 2014 and 2017, it underwent a comprehensive modernisation, which included the reconstruction of heat distribution systems, the installation of heat transfer stations and the modernisation of boiler rooms. All systems in the heating network have been upgraded and are therefore compatible and fully prepared for the deployment and testing of the NODA system,” says František Sás, Director of Energy Controlling and Support Activities at ENGIE Services.
Implementation of the NODA system
The implementation of the system was planned in three phases – integration, testing and live operation.
“Within the integration phase, a virtual PC was created, SCADA system upgrade was implemented, NODA client for UA-OPC communication with SCADA was installed. It was also necessary to create so-called “transfer points” to be able to send data from one system to another so that the NODA system could enter our programs and affect the control of the entire system. Related to this is another condition necessary for system integration, namely the reprogramming of all the programs in the controllers,” explains František Sás.
Test phase was devoted to the adaptation and “learning” of the NODA system in the context of how the whole heating system works, how the system is set up and what its reaction times are. The whole process worked on the principle of machine learning.
The last phase was sharp operationwhich started together with the heating season 2018/2019.
Modules of the NODA system
The NODA intelligent system consists of three modules – Forecaster, Planner and Tracker.
The first module Forecasteras the name implies, focuses on forecasting heat consumption, heat demand and processing the input to optimise the forecasts based on actual measured values and weather forecasts. “The system can behave like an accumulator. According to the weather forecast, it can accumulate heat in advance so that it can use it efficiently when needed. This prevents gas boilers from turning on at peak times and helps to make more use of a renewable resource – biomass,” explains František Sás.
The second module Planner, based on the optimization, processes the plan, which is then forwarded to the third module Trackerwhere it is implemented. The tracker also coordinates and manages production and distribution interventions.
Objectives of the NODA system
The implementation of the NODA system offers many advantages to its users. In the first year of testing, ENGIE in Slovakia focused mainly on two selected objectives, namely the optimisation of the fuel mix and the reduction of the cost of fuel – natural gas. Other objectives and benefits of using the NODA system include the smoothing of off-peak demand, the reduction of CO 2, minimising boiler starts, improving the quality of heat supply, optimising electricity production (in the case of combined heat and power) and optimising the system when using more boilers.
“Sharp operation has already brought us the first results. As part of the fuel mix optimisation, we have seen an increase in the use of biomass compared to gas in the first four months of this year. By visualising the results of the efficiency measurements of the heat transfer stations, we can monitor in real time whether all stations and technologies are working as they should or whether there are significant deviations somewhere. In these cases, we can immediately intervene and determine the cause of the fluctuations thanks to NODE,” says F. Sás and adds: “We have only been using the new system for a few months, but we can already assess the NODY pilot testing project as a success. The system has allowed us to work with much more data, evaluate the functioning of the heating system in real time and, thanks to the rapid response interventions, to optimize the production and distribution of heat in Pezinok,” concludes František Sás.
Energy