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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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. <EOS>