District heating

  • Overview
  • Articles
  • Tools and apps
  • Case stories
  • Related products
  • News

Enter a new dimension of district energy

Discover ultimate network resilience and energy efficiency with Danfoss Titan™ for continuous optimization of substation performance.

Let's unlock the grid

As the complexity of district energy continues to increase, demands for a stable and efficient grid have never been higher. This makes digitalization the fundamental lever for new generations of district energy and for an optimized grid—from production to distribution and consumption.

Danfoss boasts the industry’s only complete portfolio of proven end-to-end solutions—from innovative technology and components to optimization tools and services. Combined with our extensive hardware domain knowledge and years of experience, we can help today’s utilities not only optimize their supply of district heating but also impact decarbonization and energy consumption in cities.

It’s time to unlock the grid’s full potential. For ultimate cost-effectiveness, energy efficiency, and resilience on the path to a greener future.

Digital twin technology for substations - Danfoss Titan™

Discover Danfoss Titan™: a groundbreaking solution with digital twin technology. Achieve correct commissioning, enhanced performance, and the lowest return temperature. With intuitive cloud commissioning and continuous optimization, you ensure optimal settings for different working conditions. Enjoy 1-3 °C reduction in return temperature, actionable insights , reliability, and the shortest commissioning time. Experience energy efficiency and savings like never before.

Articles

Unlock in-depth knowledge and inspiration

Decarbonization with integrated cooling and heating energy systems

Decarbonization with integrated cooling and heating energy systems and heat recovery

Join Drew Turner as he breaks down the art of merging diverse energy sectors to boost efficiency and drive decarbonization efforts.  Learn about the innovative, yet practical ways to harness this strategy, like repurposing excess heat from cooling systems for heating needs elsewhere. You’ll also discover the potential of integrating renewable energy sources into the power grid, while addressing the challenge of supply-demand equilibrium.

Trends driving district energy

The shift in the district energy sector from single source to multi-source, from fossil fuels to renewables and surplus energy, and from high temperature to low temperature district heating, brings with it several key challenges.

Danfoss end-to-end district energy solutions deliver actionable insights enabling continuous optimization and optimal temperature control on both demand and supply side.

DEN illustration

Sector coupling: smart energy videocasts

Sector coupling: smart energy videocasts

Introducing the smart side of the energy system using sector coupling to connect the different energy sectors. This setup can support decarbonizing the energy supply and fight against climate change.

We also encourage you to watch our case specific videos from Copenhagen and Sonderborg on how small- and large-scale district heating systems play an integral part of sector coupling.

Heat networks explored

Re-engineering energy efficiency: Heat networks explored

District energy networks can make a huge impact on the road to decarbonization. Find out why – and how the Danfoss HQ walks the talk – in this podcast with Jonas Loholm Hamann, Head of Business Development for Danfoss District Energy.

Let’s unlock the potential of district heating

Can existing supply chains handle increased pressure?  Is there a way to develop networks effectively while delivering safety and comfort for the end user? Moreover, how can we maximize the use of renewable resources to deliver reliable and safe heating? If you are wondering what district energy means for your network operation or planned renovation, listen to the recording from our live stream.

End-to-end optimization

Addressing main challenges in district energy

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.

Our solution

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.

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.

Our solution

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.

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.

Our solution

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.

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.

Our solution

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).

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.

Our solution

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.

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.

Our solution

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.

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.

Our solution

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.
 

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.

Our solution

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.

Uncover the potential of district heating

Uncover the potential of district heating

Increasing the share of Europe’s heat demand covered by district heating will boost both savings and energy efficiency. Check out our infographic to explore the potential in district heating systems.

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

More resources about district heating

Tools and apps

Case stories

  • if (isSmallPicture) { Eurasburg; } else if (isBigColumns) { Eurasburg } else { Eurasburg }
    Successful transition from oil boilers to a local heating network in Eurasburg

    In the Wittelsbacher Land near Augsburg the local network in Eurasburg supplies heat to 80 buildings using a wood chip heating system. Danfoss’ substations ensure efficient heating in all building types, and its modern SCADA solution enables remote system monitoring and management. 

  • if (isSmallPicture) { Rothes CoRDe plant; } else if (isBigColumns) { Rothes CoRDe plant } else { Rothes CoRDe plant }
    DrivePro® Lifecycle Services secure maximum uptime for Rothes CoRDe

    SCOTLAND: The Rothes CoRDe plant, a biomass-fired combined heat and power (CHP) plant, ensured maximum uptime thanks to several DrivePro® Lifecycle Services.

  • if (isSmallPicture) { Apartment block saves energy and money with AI and dynamic balancing; } else if (isBigColumns) { Apartment block saves energy and money with AI and dynamic balancing } else { Apartment block saves energy and money with AI and dynamic balancing }
    Apartment block saves energy and money with AI and dynamic balancing

    Centrally heated apartment buildings often suffer from variations in room temperatures due to inefficient and unbalanced heating systems. This can lead to unhappy residents complaining about lack of comfort or high energy bills. Swedish cooperative organization HSB aimed to use an intelligent monitoring and control solution to improve the energy efficiency and indoor comfort of a 12-apartment block that is connected to district heating.

  • if (isSmallPicture) { Ringsted District Heating Company (DHC); } else if (isBigColumns) { Ringsted District Heating Company (DHC) } else { Ringsted District Heating Company (DHC) }
    97% Renewable Ringsted DHC’s heat recovery kickstarts a new era of greener district heating

    Ringsted District Heating Company (DHC)—a large district heating utility in Denmark—has reduced its reliance on fossil fuels by 97% after Unicool installed an innovative heat recovery system using Geoclima heat pumps built with Danfoss Turbocor® oil-free compressor technology.

  • if (isSmallPicture) { Saleska valley, Slovenia; } else if (isBigColumns) { Saleska valley, Slovenia } else { Saleska valley, Slovenia }
    Improved hydronic balancing of the district heating network in Slovenia

    The Saleska Valley district heating network is the second largest network in Slovenia, dating back to 1959. Since then, the demands have changed significantly and have challenged the hydronic balancing of the system which was optimized with new intelligent controllers Virtus.

  • if (isSmallPicture) { ; } else if (isBigColumns) { } else { }
    From waste to sustainable energy: electricity and heating for the city

    SCOTLAND: In line with the zero-waste objectives of the Scottish government, treatment of non-recyclable urban waste contributes to eliminating landfill whilst generating electricity and heat. Equipped with high-efficiency VACON® NXP drives, the process generates heat enough to supply 25,000 households.

Related products

News