“A multimodal station fitted with a cascade heat pump, a chiller, a biomass boiler and geothermal energy has been built"
The TERA_RED initiative aims to study the feasibility of using different technologies in low and very low temperature grids, which are key to the transition towards sustainable energy models
The move towards more efficient, decarbonised energy systems continues to take shape in Spain thanks to pioneering projects such as TERA_RED, an initiative supported by the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) and coordinated by Veolia.
The project has brought together five companies and three technology centres to study the feasibility, in a real and virtual environment, of various technologies applicable to low and very low temperature grids, which are strategic in the evolution towards sustainable energy models.
- These networks, which are also called anergic or neutral networks, supply water at less than 50 °C, minimising thermal losses and facilitating the integration of renewable energies.
- TERA_RED has built a multimodal station at the CEDER-Ciemat installations (Soria), fitted with a cascade heat pump, a chiller, a biomass boiler and geothermal energy to validate its potential.
- This station has been connected to one of the centre's buildings to validate the performance of each technology in a real operating environment, providing solid evidence of their efficiency and applicability to future urban and industrial thermal networks.
Digital twins and smart control
TECNALIA has developed advanced digital twins for the chiller, one of the central parts of the multimodal station.
- These digital twins reproduce the dynamic performance of the equipment in real time, making it possible to simulate operating scenarios, optimise its performance and anticipate possible incidents.
- This development also includes smart control algorithms for predictive fault detection to identify anomalies before they affect the performance or availability of the system.
A strategic boost for industry and the energy transition
The success of TERA_RED demonstrates the technical feasibility of integrating renewable technologies and state-of-the-art equipment into low-temperature thermal grids. These grids are emerging as an essential solution for speeding up decarbonisation, especially in sectors where fossil fuels still dominate.
The companies Veolia (coordinator), Geoter, Intarcon, Keyter and Curvados Quintín and the Ciemat, Cartif and TECNALIA technology centres have been involved in the initiative.
Contributions such as this reinforce our commitment to designing technological solutions that will enable companies and administrations to move towards more flexible, efficient and sustainable energy systems, thereby consolidating our leadership in the transition towards a decarbonised model.