Direct heating energy transfer station (ETS) model with in-building pumping and deltaT control. The design is based on a typical district heating ETS described in ASHRAE's District Heating Guide. As shown in the figure below, the district and building piping are hydronically coupled. The control valve ensures that the return temperature to the district heating network is at or below the maximum specified value. This configuration naturally results in a fluctuating building supply tempearture.
American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers. (2013). Chapter 5: Consumer Interconnection. In District Heating Guide.