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District heating

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Use of district heating equals higher energy efficiency and individual comfort

If you are part of a public utility or responsible for designing or delivering district heating, Danfoss can offer years of experience and in-depth knowledge of 4G district energy and a number of products and services that can maximize your district heating’s potential. 

Beyond our substantial technical expertise, we realize that today’s district heating utilities are doing more than just supplying heating and cooling to the end-user. You are influencing and operating according to political energy targets and available technologies. Danfoss can show you how district heating utilities play a critical role in lowering CO2 emissions and optimizing energy consumption in cities. 

Why district energy with Danfoss?

We believe that district energy is the most sustainable approach for mitigation of climate changes and improving energy efficiency by providing optimization solutions and optimal temperature control for both demand and supply side.  

Trends in district energy sector are moving:

  • From single source to multi-source
  • From fossil to renewables and surplus energy
  • From high temperature to low temperature district heating

Addressing main challenges in district energy

1.    ∆T Optimization

Hydronically unbalanced systems result in high flow and high return temperatures. ∆T directly impacts heat production cost and efficiency, distribution network cost and efficiency. Challenge in district energy is how to maximize network and production efficiency while providing best quality of supply.

To solve those challenges, you need to optimize supply temperature, improve ∆T and balance supply temperature and flow. With utilization of intelligent solutions and components system from Danfoss you are able to:

  • Improve primary side ∆T by increasing efficiency of the secondary side;
  • Achieve optimal balance between ∆T and flow;
  • Reduce distribution & production costs.

It is estimated that due to operation cost reduction and improved efficiency we can achieve min 1% reduction of primary energy generation cost for each 3K of ∆T increase.

2. Optimal network design

Water & heat losses, shift of critical points in network, extensions of the network and many other factors cause high cost of production due to poor planning. Challenge in district energy is how to minimize investment cost and maximize consumption density making optimal network dimensioning and economically prioritized investments.

To solve those challenges, utilize thermo-hydraulic model to:

  • Avoid over-designing;
  • Verify capacity and assess impact on the whole network.

It is estimated that due to use of proper planning at network dimensioning & support with components sizing (consultancy) we could reduce investment for 17% comparing to traditional design.

3. Decentralization – increased fuel complexity

Decentralization and increased fuel complexity make integration and forecasting much more difficult. Challenge in district energy is how to maximize utilization of production sources with best economy and efficiently manage complex networks while still improving utilization of various heat sources with best economy investments.

Production of heat from renewables can be prioritized and better controlled, helping the utility to be spot on (or above) the target.

Solution to those challenges is efficiently production planning (fuel-mix) by utilizing:

  • Demand forecast;
  • Real time network balancing;
  • Heat production simulation.

With this you will support 27% EU renewable energy target.

4. Requirement to energy savings

Regulative for energy savings demands yearly energy savings and clear documentation proving those. Challenge in district energy is how to achieve end-user energy savings target and invest to secondary heating side to improve efficiency of the primary side. Goal is to make smart investments.

Solve those challenges by:

  • Sourcing and developing know-how on potential measures and proofing of savings.
  • Executing secondary side measures with best cost-performance ration on primary side.

In the end, you can achieve more than 1,5% of end-user savings annually (EU Energy directive target which is only relevant for countries with obligation schemes).

5. Peak energy demand

Peak heat load and expensive peak fuels stretch DHU resources and make heating more expensive for both DHUs & end users. It has also a high effect on CAPEX as well as OPEX. Challenge in district energy is how to lower the effect of peak energy demand on network operation costs and cover peak demand with regular heat sources while lowering investment and operating costs.

Solve those challenges by:

  • Heat production simulation;
  • Maximizing utilization of heat accumulation in buildings and network;
  • Executing control measures for heat-up ramping.

With this you can achieve up to 20% peak energy demand reduction.

6. Legacy SCADA

Legacy SCADA systems make data integration difficult and time consuming. Challenge in district energy is how to make data integration easier and less time-consuming while lowering investment and maintenance cost.

Solution is to save time and money by using modern SCADA with:

  • Open database access
  • Open connectivity
  • Auto-generated key process and performance indicators
  • Auto commissioning functions

All of the above remedies will help unlock your hidden resources and should add up to 30% improved efficiency compared to traditional SCADA.

7. Increasing focus on customer service

Challenge in district energy is how to extend customer services provided by DHU and increase customer perception of DHU as reliable, transparent and flexible partner.

Solution is to position DHU as an expert in energy efficiency and make it an obvious choice for energy supply towards end user by:

  • Providing additional services e.g. safety monitoring and maintenance contracts;
  • Providing supportive tools e.g. Enspire and Heat Selector;
  • Providing training and recommendations towards secondary system modernization;
  • Providing solutions for system modernization and optimization.

This will support integration of primary and secondary side and increase customer’s satisfaction.

8. Focus on new business areas

Challenge in district energy is how to cope with increased competition in district heating segment, develop new business areas to secure profitability and don’t miss the digitalization train.

Solution is to position DHU as an expert in energy efficiency and make it an obvious choice for energy supply towards end user by:

  • Offer heating bills reduction and maintenance optimization;
  • Offer full package solution for secondary side, including equipment (Enspire, TRV, stations, ASV).

With all this, DHU can improve competitiveness and increases profitability by using new sales channel. In the end, DHU will be up-to-date and profitable.

How we can help you

Product portfolio for district heating and cooling applications in networks and buildings

Consultancy and customer dedication

Innovation, technical optimization and performance

Safety and reliability in cooperation

Global reach with strong local representation and know-how

One experienced partner for optimal plant operation, optimal network operation and delivering perfect service to your customers

District heating infographic

View infographic

More resources about district heating
How does district heating work?
About district heating in Denmark
Ecopolis: Heating the sustainable city

Related applications

Tools and apps

Heat Selector

Danfoss Heat Selector is the best-in-class online selection tool that optimizes the planning process for heating application experts.

Open Heat Selector

District heating application guide

We share experience, application expertise and make recommendations on optimum performing DH applications and key applied control components

Open DH application guide

Videos

Heating the sustainable city
District energy documentary
Danfoss district energy - The movie

Case studies

  • if (isSmallPicture) { Electrification and sector coupling achieve CO2 goals at FlexHeat Nordhavn } else if (isBigColumns) { Electrification and sector coupling achieve CO2 goals at FlexHeat Nordhavn } else { Electrification and sector coupling achieve CO2 goals at FlexHeat Nordhavn }
    Electrification and sector coupling achieve CO2 goals at FlexHeat Nordhavn

    DENMARK: The FlexHeat district heating plant at Copenhagen’s Nordhavn harbor emits 315 fewer tonnes per annum of CO2 than the LPG gas-based alternative.

  • if (isSmallPicture) { World leader in biogas reduces CO2 emissions by 50,000 t annually } else if (isBigColumns) { World leader in biogas reduces CO2 emissions by 50,000 t annually } else { World leader in biogas reduces CO2 emissions by 50,000 t annually }
    World leader in biogas reduces CO2 emissions by 50,000 t annually

    By generating power and heat from biogas instead of fossil fuels, MEC-BioGas reduces its CO2 footprint by 50000 tpa. Danfoss VLT® drives ensure optimal uptime in the 24/7 operations.

  • if (isSmallPicture) { Full-scale biogas plant in Kalundborg ensures the return of all nutrients back to nature } else if (isBigColumns) { Full-scale biogas plant in Kalundborg ensures the return of all nutrients back to nature } else { Full-scale biogas plant in Kalundborg ensures the return of all nutrients back to nature }
    Full-scale biogas plant in Kalundborg ensures the return of all nutrients back to nature

    AC drives from Danfoss help convert biomass from insulin and enzyme production to energy.

  • if (isSmallPicture) { Solar heating plant reduces CO2 emissions by 15,700 tonnes annually } else if (isBigColumns) { Solar heating plant reduces CO2 emissions by 15,700 tonnes annually } else { Solar heating plant reduces CO2 emissions by 15,700 tonnes annually }
    Solar heating plant reduces CO2 emissions by 15,700 tonnes annually

    The world’s largest solar heating plant in Silkeborg, Denmark harnesses energy to heat the homes and workplaces of 40,000 citizens. It supplies 18-20% of the annual heat consumption in the city of Silkeborg, Denmark, which has an ambitious target of CO2 neutrality in heat production by the year 2030.

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    District energy as the heating and cooling solution in Teknopark Istanbul, Turkey

    Building: Office
    Application: Production of heating, cooling and domestic hot water
    Challenge: Design and construct customized district energy solutions for all buildings on the park
    Solution: Danfoss  designed and constructed 3 pre-assembled DSE substations containing control valves for the heating, cooling and domestic hot water, heat meters, self-acting controllers and electronic controllers connected to a central Building Management System. 

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    Heating facility reconstruction in Kopaonik mountain resort, Serbia

    Building: Hotel
    Application: Hydronic balance, control and monitoring of a heating system
    Challenge: Improve the energy efficiency of old heating system
    Solution: Danfoss installed motorized control valves, hydronic balancing valves and electronic controllers with monitoring software

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