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.
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:
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:
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.
To solve those challenges, utilize thermo-hydraulic model to:
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.
Solution to those challenges is efficiently production planning (fuel-mix) by utilizing:
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.
Solve those challenges by:
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.
With this you can achieve up to 20% peak energy demand reduction.
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
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Explore how EU policies and advanced technology drive waste heat recovery. This white paper covers legislative frameworks, innovative tools, and real-world success stories for sustainable energy solutions.
In November 2023, the final report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) District Heating and Cooling (DHC) task share project Digitalization of District Heating and Cooling was published. The aim of the project was promoting the opportunities arising from integrating digital processes into different parts of DHC systems and end-user heating installations. It also collected use cases of already available digitalization solutions to demonstrate the impact digital solutions have on the system operation, both on existing systems going through a modernization cycle as well as in new systems.
District energy systems for heating and cooling, aim to achieve both cost-effective and stable operation. This article emphasizes the significance of selecting the right mix of heat generation technologies considering both investment and operating costs. By using multiple heat sources, district energy utilities can substantially lower thermal generation costs compared to relying on a single source. Find out how in this article by Oddgeir Gudmundsson and Jan Eric Thorsen, Directors at Danfoss Climate Solutions.
District energy offers a fast track to decarbonizing heating and cooling in the building sector. Find out how in this article by Oddgeir Gudmundsson, Director at Danfoss Climate Solutions.
Did you know that the EU generates enough waste heat to cover its total energy demand for heat and hot water in residential and service sector buildings? In this article, Saška Rihtaršič, Vice President of Danfoss District Energy, explains how we can use district heating and hydronic balancing to tap into this underutilized heat source.
As urbanization increases, what is the most resilient, energy efficient, and climate-friendly heat supply systems? Oddgeir Gudmundsson, Director at Danfoss Climate Solutions, compares the future-proof potential of district heating and hydrogen.
Jonas Loholm Hamann, Head of business development at Danfoss District Energy, explains smart control solutions can turn the complexity of heating networks into an advantage supporting greater resilience and flexibility.
The integration of low-temperature district heating (DH) with geothermal energy, known as 4th generation DH, improves energy efficiency by lowering DH network temperatures. This reduces heat loss, enhances geothermal viability, and supports sustainability, as demonstrated in Thisted, Denmark, where DH innovations cut distribution losses by 20% and increased geothermal output by 10%.
With soaring energy prices, uncertain imports, and the increasing challenge of diversifying heating and cooling sources—the time to design, build, and expand district energy for resilience is now. District energy has the potential to help cities harness local, renewable energy sources to meet demands for resilience, reliability, and energy efficiency.
According to new data, excess heat in the EU alone amounts to 2,860 TWh/y, corresponding almost to the EU’s total energy demand for heat and hot water in residential and service sector buildings.
Heating and cooling account for half of the total final energy use in the world and the majority of global greenhouse gas emissions are related to the production and consumption of energy. The aim of this paper is to summarize the main avenues towards decarbonization with a view to supporting the EU’s and global energy and climate goals.
Unlock the value of waste heat and optimize energy use with sector coupling. Discover how combining heating and cooling systems can cut costs, reduce emissions, and support your sustainability goals.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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Ensure reliable, optimized, and efficient heat production with Danfoss controls, software, heat exchangers, and valves.
Save energy, time, and money in district energy networks with Danfoss know-how and advanced substations, heat exchangers, software, and control components.
Peak shaving, reliable stations, and full transparency with Danfoss’ portfolio of software, stations, and controls.
Our solution
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).
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:
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.
Solution is to position DHU as an expert in energy efficiency and make it an obvious choice for energy supply towards end user by:
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.
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.
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.
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To learn more about district cooling solutions for your project please contact your local district energy expert.
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