An ad-hoc network for a system using a fluid to transfer thermal energy, the ad-hoc network comprising: a plurality of nodes, each node associated with at least a sensor (374, 376) configured to measure a temperature of the fluid or a unit configured to signal a valve to open or close, each of the nodes configured to: communicate with one or more of the plurality of nodes; communicate information received or gathered concerning an operation of the system to at least one other node; wherein at least one of the nodes is configured to transfer all the information gathered by the plurality of nodes to a location outside of the ad-hoc network; wherein each of the nodes is configured as a locating node to automatically communicate with a least some of the plurality of the nodes (772A, 772C, 772D, 772E) to allow a determination of a location of the locating node relative to such nodes; wherein the determination of the location includes a measurement of one or more of: times propagated electromagnetic waves take to propagate either to or from the at least some of the plurality of nodes (772A, 772C, 772D, 772E) to the locating node, differences in power in a transmission of propagated electromagnetic waves either to or from at least some of the plurality of nodes (772A, 772C, 772D, 772E) to the locating node, and times signals along piping in a thermal transfer system take to propagate either to or from the at least some of the plurality of nodes (772A, 772C, 772D, 772E) to the locating node; and wherein the determination of the location is confirmed by reviewing whether thermal dynamics determined to be in the system is consistent with the determined location. a plurality of nodes, each node associated with at least a sensor (374, 376) configured to measure a temperature of the fluid or a unit configured to signal a valve to open or close, each of the nodes configured to: communicate with one or more of the plurality of nodes; communicate information received or gathered concerning an operation of the system to at least one other node; communicate with one or more of the plurality of nodes; communicate information received or gathered concerning an operation of the system to at least one other node; wherein at least one of the nodes is configured to transfer all the information gathered by the plurality of nodes to a location outside of the ad-hoc network; wherein each of the nodes is configured as a locating node to automatically communicate with a least some of the plurality of the nodes (772A, 772C, 772D, 772E) to allow a determination of a location of the locating node relative to such nodes; wherein the determination of the location includes a measurement of one or more of: times propagated electromagnetic waves take to propagate either to or from the at least some of the plurality of nodes (772A, 772C, 772D, 772E) to the locating node, differences in power in a transmission of propagated electromagnetic waves either to or from at least some of the plurality of nodes (772A, 772C, 772D, 772E) to the locating node, and times signals along piping in a thermal transfer system take to propagate either to or from the at least some of the plurality of nodes (772A, 772C, 772D, 772E) to the locating node; and times propagated electromagnetic waves take to propagate either to or from the at least some of the plurality of nodes (772A, 772C, 772D, 772E) to the locating node, differences in power in a transmission of propagated electromagnetic waves either to or from at least some of the plurality of nodes (772A, 772C, 772D, 772E) to the locating node, and times signals along piping in a thermal transfer system take to propagate either to or from the at least some of the plurality of nodes (772A, 772C, 772D, 772E) to the locating node; and wherein the determination of the location is confirmed by reviewing whether thermal dynamics determined to be in the system is consistent with the determined location.