Modelling of 4th generation district heating systems integrated with different thermal energy storage technologies – Methodology

•A simulation model was created for DH systems with heat supplied from RHS and TES.•Hourly heat demands, heat production, and heat transfer to/from TES are calculated.•Heat losses from dwellings, TES and pipes are calculated on an hourly basis.•Thermal energy storage modelling is informed by recent findings in this area.•The model enables DH system optimisation to minimise cost and maximise ηDH.