Economic Analysis of District Thermal Network and Air-Source Heat Pump Systems

On behalf of NRDC, Synapse developed an Excel-based Thermal Energy Network Assessment model to compare the economics of air-source heat pumps and district thermal networks for residential and commercial buildings across five climate zones and three neighborhood configurations: low-density residential, medium-density residential, and medium-density mixed-use. The model estimates heating and cooling energy use, hourly load profiles, HVAC capacities, coincident peak loads, and annual and lifetime costs, including equipment and installation, shared-loop and borehole costs, utility infrastructure costs, and operating costs. The model allows users to assess how project economics vary based on climate, building load characteristics, building type mix, electricity prices, utility infrastructure cost assumptions, geothermal installation costs, and opportunities to share heating and cooling loads among connected buildings.