To accomplish its objectives, the project has been structured into eight work packages, six of which address specific technical objectives (WP1-WP6), one of them is devoted to dissemination and exploitation issues (WP7) and the last one to management activities (WP8).

 

The work is divided into two stages: the 1st stage includes the selection of the enabling technologies and the 2nd stage includes the validation, integration and evaluation studies.

 

The 1st Stage deals with the development of the enabling technologies related to the formulation of: (i) innovative solutions for avoiding heat losses, like innovative and efficient insulation materials for pipes and pipe design, (ii) artificial intelligent meters for near real time data gathering and monitoring, (iii) stochastic, statistical mathematical models and artificial neural networks methodologies for supporting the development of prediction tools, like weather and energy demand prediction tools, (iv) artificial intelligent techniques and artificial neural networks for developing the decision support system and, (v) wireless network communication and (vi) application and software development. The whole development is based on a series of pilot, lab scale validation experiments, small scale prototypes and large scale prototypes, while the work spreads throughout the first months of the project duration and is divided into four interdependent work packages:

 

• WP1: specification of the energy policies, the EDP tool, the DSS, the pilot, lab-scale experiments and the full scale demonstration.

• WP2: development of innovative solutions for minimizing heat losses in DHCS. The target of this WP is the investigation and development of efficient pipe design via fluid dynamics and insulation materials for a DHCS optimum design.

• WP3: development of the monitoring tools, where artificial intelligent meters and SM tool will be used, and data processing techniques will be developed and evaluated. Energy Harvesting solutions to make intelligent meters' sensors autonomous will also be developed.

• WP4: the development of the prediction tools, where the WP tool and EDP tool will be developed for near real time forecasting of short term weather and heating and cooling demand.

 

The 2nd Stage deals with the integration of the enabling technologies, the development of a small scale prototype for lab trials and a large scale prototype for field trials. The work covers the second half project duration. It is divided in three work packages:

 

• WP5: the integration of the individual systems (prediction, monitoring and control systems) and the formulation of the final methodology.

• WP6: demonstration of the developed systems through the use of prototypes in lad and real case studies, the final assessment of the system and life cycle analysis.

• WP7 is devoted to the performance evaluation study taking into account technical, economic, cultural and ecological issues for the assessment of the steps required for wider industrial implementation, alongside dissemination activities and exploitation planning.

 

Finally, WP8 is meant to cover the overall legal, contractual, financial and administrative management of the project and to establish a reliable contact with the EC throughout the Project duration. Moreover, this work package will ensure that the work is carried out in a timely and cost effective manner and will supervise the preparation and the overall quality of deliverables.