Enhancing Service With New District Heating Software

REHAU has launched an advanced district heating design support package, supporting ESCOs and consultants with hydraulic modelling, pipe sizing, material selection and TS1-compliant heat network design.

13.07.2026

Polymer pipe systems provider REHAU is rolling out a new software and support package aimed at supporting ESCOs and consultants dealing with heat network projects, elevating its service and support for all elements of technical design.

Operating within the framework of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s Heat Network Technical Standard (TS1),[1] the new software plays a critical role in supporting potential projects from the ‘feasibility’ stage through the ‘design’ phase, ready for the construction phase, quickly and efficiently. This allows key considerations such as hydraulics, pipe sizing and material lists to be explored in depth and accurately calculated.

Franz Huelle, Head of Technical at REHAU Water Technolgies, said: “For many heat network projects, the design phase is make or break – examining the finer details of a concept, and all of the technical considerations that are required to bring it into reality.

“This is an area where we identified a fundamental gap in the development of new heat networks. There are many software tools out there to aid with initial concepts and early feasibility, and again with analysing and optimising existing network operations, but nothing to bridge the gap between them.

“This was the rationale behind the development of the new software. In this sense, it will serve as the missing piece of the puzzle that will help ESCOs and consultants fully realise their concepts, with the knowledge and support of the manufacturer providing vital technical guidance at this crucial stage of heat network roll out.”

The new software package has been developed in partnership with LINEAR over the past four years, and is designed to be a holistic tool for detailed planning of district heating networks.

One of the software’s core features is precise hydraulic calculations, allowing ring and meshed networks to be considered, calculated, and optimised in accordance with Kirchhoff’s laws relating to the conservation of mass and energy. This application extends to support large, complex networks with multiple heat sources.

Another key use for the software lies in material selection and pipe sizing, allowing pipe sizes to be optimised to save on costs and resources. With an extensive component library of REHAU and neutral systems as standard, full networks can be modelled even if multiple pipe materials are used. Further support for various fittings and jointing systems allows for maximum flexibility in network design.

Crucially, the software’s planning and implementation tool allows this all to be gauged in practical installation terms – from bending radii and building connections, to result visualisation for heat losses, pressure, and flow paths.

Franz concluded: “If district heating is to meet the Government’s target of supplying 20% of heat by 2050, service and support will be critical to bringing new projects from concept through to delivery, and to optimise both installation and performance. With the launch of the new software, we are happy to be playing our part in supporting ESCOs, consultants, and end users on this journey.”

Alex and Irtaza - design support - 100107264

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[1] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/691c938cd140bbbaa59a29b9/heat-network-technical-standard-1-draft.pdf