Preprocessing

The Preprocessing tab is used to prepare the spatial model before it is converted into a simulation-ready network. It contains tools for managing networks, generating network topology, assigning connection types to lines, running the pipe laying algorithm, and sizing pipes.

Use this tab after the required project data has been created or imported, such as routes, customers, energy plants, buildings, streets, connection types, pipe bundles and default values. The preprocessing tools help transform GIS-based input data into a consistent network structure that can later be used for modelling and simulation.

Manage networks

The Manage networks function is used to define and organize multiple networks within the same project version.

Multiple networks can be modelled either independently or as interconnected systems at selected feature points. This is useful when a project contains more than one thermal network, for example separate heating and cooling networks, different subnetworks or network areas that should be handled separately.

Topology

The Topology section contains the main preprocessing tools for converting spatial input data into a network structure.

The available functions are:

• Generate network topology
• Map connection types to lines
• Pipe laying algorithm
• Pipe sizing

These tools are used to prepare routes, customers, energy plants and connections so that the model can later be built and simulated.

Generate network topology

Use Generate network topology to convert the route layer into a network topology suitable for simulation. This step prepares the geometry and connectivity of the model so that lines, junctions, customers and energy plants can be interpreted as a connected network.

Typical options in the topology generation dialog include:

Snapping tolerance
Defines the distance within which nearby points or line ends are treated as connected. Use an appropriate tolerance to connect features that should belong together without accidentally connecting unrelated objects.

Delete unconnected lines
Removes lines that are not connected to the network.

Delete unconnected customers
Removes customer points that cannot be connected to the network.

Connect unconnected customers to network
Connects customer features to the nearest suitable network line.

Connect unconnected plants to network
Connects energy plant features to the nearest suitable network line.

Delete unconnected network ends
Removes open network ends that are not required.

Add customers to unconnected network ends
Creates customer connections at open network ends when this is required by the modelling workflow.

Keep templates / Override templates
Controls whether existing feature templates should be preserved or replaced during topology generation.

Map connection types to lines

Use Map connection types to lines when lines need to be associated with feature points such as customers or energy plants.

This is especially relevant when a feature has multiple possible connections or when different line sections must be assigned to specific connection types. In the assignment dialog, lines can be linked to object points that represent customers or assets, so that lines can be assigned to specific connection types when multiple connections exist.

Use this tool when:

• customers or plants have more than one connection,
• different pipe or connection configurations are used,
• line-to-feature assignments need to be checked or corrected,
• the network requires explicit connection type assignment before simulation.

Pipe laying algorithm

The Pipe laying algorithm can be used to generate a network layout by connecting customers to an energy plant. According to the Plugin description, this can be based on either the shortest path or the lowest cost within the street network, while taking boundary conditions into account.

The pipe laying algorithm supports both heating and cooling network generation.

Typical settings include:

Generate heating network
Creates or extends a heating network based on the selected input data and constraints.

Generate cooling network
Creates or extends a cooling network based on the selected input data and constraints.

Route template
Defines the route template used for generated lines.

Extend existing network
Adds new routes to an already existing network instead of generating a completely new one.

Keep unconnected customers
Keeps customers that cannot be connected by the algorithm.

Minimum heating load / Minimum cooling load
Defines minimum load thresholds for considering customers in the generated network.

Minimum heat demand / Minimum cold demand
Defines annual energy demand thresholds.

Minimum linear heat density / Minimum linear cold density
Defines the minimum energy density per metre of route.

Heat revenue / Cold revenue
Defines economic values used by the algorithm when cost-based decisions are enabled.

Heat loss / Cold loss to ambient
Defines losses to the ambient environment per metre of route and year.

Consider trench and pipe costs
Includes trench and pipe costs in the network generation logic.

Amortization period
Defines the time period used for cost-related evaluation.

Use the pipe laying algorithm when a network should be generated from available street, customer, and plant data rather than manually digitized route geometry.

Pipe sizing

Use Pipe sizing to assign or calculate suitable pipe dimensions based on demand values and network structure.

The Plugin description states that the pipe network can be sized according to demand values.

Typical settings include:

Select considered pipes
Defines which pipes or pipe sequences should be considered for sizing.

Supply temperature / Return temperature
Defines the design temperatures used for the sizing calculation.

Load column
Selects the attribute field that contains the load values used for sizing.

Main energy plant
Defines the reference plant from which customer loads are considered.

Consider the simultaneity of energy consumption
Applies a simultaneity assumption instead of sizing all pipes from the full sum of individual peak loads.

Specific pressure drop
Defines the pressure drop criterion used for selecting pipe dimensions.

Kinematic viscosity
Defines the fluid property used in the hydraulic sizing calculation.

Lines energy demand
Uses line-related energy demand values as input for sizing.

Notes