Russian Researchers Build Virtual Heat Network to Train AI for Heating Control
The system will serve as a testing ground for AI models and new solutions in the utilities sector
Researchers in Novosibirsk, Novosibirsk Oblast, Russia have developed a digital model of a district heating network that can simulate system performance and predict its behavior. The project, created by specialists at Novosibirsk State University, is designed to function as a virtual testing ground for training artificial intelligence and evaluating new solutions in the utilities sector, according to the online energy journal Energiya+.
A Digital Twin of the Heat Network
The model acts as a digital twin of a heating network, replicating how real infrastructure operates. It allows engineers to test calculation and control algorithms without exposing live systems to risk.
The system generates operational data across a range of scenarios, including weather changes and emergency situations. These datasets are used to train AI models. Over time, the technology could enable AI to predict system failures and guide operators on how to respond, improving efficiency and potentially reducing energy losses to near zero.
Other Cities in Line
The digital twin is not tied to a specific city but incorporates key parameters of real-world heating systems. The development has already received a state registration certificate. This year, researchers plan to test the virtual model on real-world tasks in collaboration with the Novosibirsk city administration. The team aims to scale the technology to other Russian cities in the future.
Earlier reports said robots would resume diagnostics of heating networks in Kemerovo by the end of May.
