Temperature Optimization Saves Millions for District Heating

Hjørring District Heating has reduced the inlet temperature with an average of 8 degrees. The result is a reduction in heat loss of nearly 10%. This corresponds to approximately 4.300 MWh.

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”The more information we can get hold of, the better we will be at performing optimization. Let’s face it, nobody can have the big picture of the ins and out of their network. TERMIS Temperature Optimization can help us find out where the bottlenecks are,” says Per Sørensen, Managing Director of Hjørring District Heating.

The Challenge

Reduction in heat loss

Hjørring District Heating wanted to reduce its heat loss, as this was identified as one of the areas with the biggest potential for improving the efficiency.

The Solution

Real-time information about the network

After investigating various alternative products in the market, it was decided to go for TERMIS Temperature Optimization. The key factor for the decision was the ability to provide real-time information of the network. The estimates moreover showed that the Return On Investment was less than one heating season.

Hjørring District Heating uses TERMIS Temperature Optimization to calculate theoptimal supply temperature at various points in time, which guarantees that theconsumers will get exactly the heating they need.

The Result

New knowledge is useful knowledge

TERMIS Temperature Optimization has facilitated a reduction of the supply temperature to the lowest possible level. In addition, this has generated new detailed knowledge of the network. This information can be used to identity weaknesses in areas and determine how to remedy these weaknesses. The implementation of TERMIS Temperature Optimization enables Hjørring District Heating to work proactively rather than just reacting to events. Historically, more

resources have been invested in optimizing at the actual plant, due to insufficient knowledge of the network. This is now all in the past.

Advantages in the operation

Overview of the Consumption

TERMIS Temperature Optimization uses SCADA data from the district heating network. This situation constitutes the best baseline for the optimization and encompasses operational changes such as valves that open and close, major clients with varying consumption, and any fluctuations during weekends and vacation periods.
Any unusual operational interruptions will also be included in the optimization.

Vision for the future

Opgrading to TERMIS Operation

”Our next step is to upgrade to TERMIS Operation. This is an application with an intuitive user interface that provides easy access to predefined scenarios that are configured according to our specific needs and requirements. Our staff in the various departments will consequently have access to useful information from the network,” says Per Sørensen.

Customer quote:

“ Temperature Optimization has been a great success for us. We installed TERMIS Temperature Optimization in the autumn of 2006, and can now document savings of approximately 1.5 million Danish kroner (~ 300,000 USD) per year.“

Per Sørensen, Managing Director at Hjørring District Heating.