With the RVD2xx product range, the Siemens Building Technologies Division launches a completely revised series of district heating controllers. The new generation provides additional functions such as solar heating of domestic hot water, automatic refill and a programmable heating period. With newly developed electronics, the RVD2xx district heating controllers achieve even better reliability and energy efficiency.

Efficient energy generation systems, centralized co-generation of heat and power as well as woodchip heating, combustor or sewage systems make district heating plants an environmentally friendly alternative for the generation of electrical power and heat. District heating is provided to customers for the heating of rooms and domestic hot water via a pipeline network. Thus, an annual reduction of thousands of tons of CO2 can be achieved. The transfer stations which are linking between district heat suppliers and consumers are of particular significance for an optimal district heating supply. The district heating controllers provided by Siemens create the perfect conditions for a problem-free and energy efficient network.

The electronics of the new generation of RVD2xx district heating controllers were completely revised, in order to guarantee even better device reliability and energy efficiency. The customer thereby profits from Siemens’ decades of experience and extensive application know-how that have been fully implemented in the new development. Pre-programmed and tested standard applications and settings enable quick and simple installation and commissioning. Remote monitoring and service is enabled by connecting the controllers to a standard communication system. Communication protocols (e.g. M-Bus) also enable integration in heating management systems.

In order to achieve the best energy efficiency, the controllers have a selection of various energy saving functions, amongst them weather-compensated flow temperature control, an automatic heating limit (eco function) and optimized heating up and setback. These functions are supported by energy management functions, the consideration of changes of outside and room temperature and the energy-optimized production of domestic hot water.

The highlights of the new product generation include the new solar heating of domestic hot water, automatic refill and a programmable heating period of the heating circuits. The support offered by producing domestic hot water with solar energy enables the use of solar heat from collectors for further reduction of CO2 emissions. Of course, heating of domestic hot water by using electricity is also possible. The refill function stabilizes the pressure in the secondary system by refilling with water from an external tank or from the primary side. With the support of a freely programmable heating period, the heating circuits can not only be activated or deactivated depending on the daily heating limit or by switching from summer-/wintertime changeover, but also depending on the parameterized data of the heating period. Nevertheless, frost protection for plants and rooms is guaranteed at all times, and the domestic hot water production is not affected by the heating period.

The RVD2xx district heating controllers are part of Siemens’ Environmental Portfolio. In fiscal 2009, revenue from the Portfolio totaled about EUR23 billion, making Siemens the world’s largest supplier of ecofriendly technologies. In the same period, the company’s products and solutions enabled customers to reduce their CO2 emissions by 210 million tons. This amount equals the combined annual CO2 emissions of New York, Tokyo, London and Berlin.