Urban cold network (distribution network)

According to a study published in 2016 by Stanford University in the United States , historical data suggest that, at global level, a country reaches its maximum productivity with an average temperature of 13°C (see the evolution of production in relation to average temperature in the figure below).

The effect of temperature on productivity had already been observed on a local scale, with, for example, a drop in productivity in the Indian textile industry in hot years, when workers are paid on a piece-rate basis.

This observation underlines the importance of temperature control in the workplace, and explains why air-conditioning requirements are constantly on the increase worldwide.

Faced with this growing demand and increasing urban populations, district cooling networks have developed considerably, pooling resources to optimize the production and use of cooling.

One of the major components of an RFU is the piping and cold distribution network, which can account for up to 75% of the total installation cost of an RFU.

The pipe network often has to be installed in existing urban areas, necessitating major modifications to the layout and organization of the works to limit inconvenience to local residents.

What's more, it must be designed in such a way as to allow for future development in line with changes in the layout of the towns it serves.

This third and final article in the RFU series (see also [BE 9 320] and [BE 9 321] ) covers all aspects of cold distribution...