HEATMAP© - Software for Design and Analysis of District (CENTRAL Plant) Heating and Cooling Systems

Abstract

HEATMAP is a software tool developed by the Washington State University Energy Program (formerly Washington State Energy Office) that can provide a comprehensive simulation of proposed and existing district (central plant) heating and cooling (DHC) systems. Use of the program furnishes owners, designers, planners, engineers, utilities, and operators with extensive technical, economical, and air emission information about a DHC application. Program output may be used to evaluate existing system performance or model the effects of various potential alternative system strategies including upgrades, expansions or conversion from steam to hot water distribution. The software can also be a valuable tool for community planners in defining all aspects of developing, evaluating, and justifying a new DHC project or upgrading an existing system. A major feature of the program is its capability to comprehensively analyze various parameters for both the supply and return elements of extensive piping distribution systems. Important features of HEATMAP include: the capability to determine reductions in air emissions that can result from DHC or central energy plant implementation; and the evaluation of environmental taxes on economics.