Development of ANN model for geothermal district heating system and a novel PID-based control strategy

► ANN model for a GDHS is developed as a test system, and has a good statistical performance. ► A novel control strategy is used in this test system under various operating conditions. ► Max. exergy efficiency of the AGDHS is ensured by this strategy via the flow rate control. ► The strategy has better control performance compared to the manual control in the AGDHS. ► With the proposed strategy, the exergy efficiency of the system is increased by 13%.