A distribution pump arrangement for a bi-directional hydraulic distribution grid configured to distribute thermal energy, the bi-directional hydraulic distribution grid comprising a hot conduit configured to bi-directionally allow heat transfer liquid of a first temperature to flow therethrough and a cold conduit configured to bi-directionally allow heat transfer liquid of a second temperature to flow therethrough, wherein the second temperature is lower than the first temperature, the distribution pump arrangement comprising: a hot conduit control valve in the hot conduit; a first distribution pump having an inlet connected to the hot conduit at a first side of the hot conduit control valve, and an outlet connected to the hot conduit at a second side, opposite the first side, of the hot conduit control valve; a pressure difference determining device (80, 80') arranged beyond the second side of the hot conduit control valve and configured to determine a local pressure difference, Δp, between a local pressure, p hot, of heat transfer liquid in the hot conduit and a local pressure, p cold, of heat transfer liquid in the cold conduit, wherein Δp = |p cold - p hot |; and a controller configured to: while Δp < a threshold value, set the distribution pump arrangement in a flowing mode, wherein: the first distribution pump is set to be inactive, and the hot conduit control valve is set to be open, thereby allow a flow of heat transfer liquid of the hot conduit through the hot conduit control valve; while Δp ≥ the threshold value and p cold > p hot, set the distribution pump arrangement in a hot conduit pumping mode, wherein: the hot conduit control valve is set to be closed, thereby stop a flow of heat transfer liquid of the hot conduit through the hot conduit control valve, and the first distribution pump is set to be active, thereby reduce the local pressure difference. a hot conduit control valve in the hot conduit; a first distribution pump having an inlet connected to the hot conduit at a first side of the hot conduit control valve, and an outlet connected to the hot conduit at a second side, opposite the first side, of the hot conduit control valve; a pressure difference determining device (80, 80') arranged beyond the second side of the hot conduit control valve and configured to determine a local pressure difference, Δp, between a local pressure, p hot, of heat transfer liquid in the hot conduit and a local pressure, p cold, of heat transfer liquid in the cold conduit, wherein Δp = |p cold - p hot |; and a controller configured to: while Δp < a threshold value, set the distribution pump arrangement in a flowing mode, wherein: the first distribution pump is set to be inactive, and the hot conduit control valve is set to be open, thereby allow a flow of heat transfer liquid of the hot conduit through the hot conduit control valve; while Δp ≥ the threshold value and p cold > p hot, set the distribution pump arrangement in a hot conduit pumping mode, wherein: the hot conduit control valve is set to be closed, thereby stop a flow of heat transfer liquid of the hot conduit through the hot conduit control valve, and the first distribution pump is set to be active, thereby reduce the local pressure difference. while Δp < a threshold value, set the distribution pump arrangement in a flowing mode, wherein: the first distribution pump is set to be inactive, and the hot conduit control valve is set to be open, thereby allow a flow of heat transfer liquid of the hot conduit through the hot conduit control valve; the first distribution pump is set to be inactive, and the hot conduit control valve is set to be open, thereby allow a flow of heat transfer liquid of the hot conduit through the hot conduit control valve; while Δp ≥ the threshold value and p cold > p hot, set the distribution pump arrangement in a hot conduit pumping mode, wherein: the hot conduit control valve is set to be closed, thereby stop a flow of heat transfer liquid of the hot conduit through the hot conduit control valve, and the first distribution pump is set to be active, thereby reduce the local pressure difference. the hot conduit control valve is set to be closed, thereby stop a flow of heat transfer liquid of the hot conduit through the hot conduit control valve, and the first distribution pump is set to be active, thereby reduce the local pressure difference.