Methods for optimization of time redundancy of prosumer in district heating systems

The paper deals with the problem of operating the reliability of prosumers as part of a district heating system, taking into account overload time redundancy that they possess. This time redundancy can be both passive, caused by heat accumulating effect and use of thermal energy storages, as well as an active time redundancy, which is provided by additional heating by its own heat source. Methods to determine the optimal level of this time redundancy of heat prosumer were developed based on search the minimal cost of ensuring required values of restoration rates of system components, taking into account the functions of prosumers. Methodology is based on the use of nodal reliability indices, models of Markov processes, aggregated model of heat transfer processes in heating of consumers, Rossander equation, models of the theory of hydraulic circuits.