Kalmar Castle
NODA, a Swedish company specializing in energy optimization of district heating systems software, is working with the operator Kalmar Energi with the aim of creating an eco-smart heating network in Kalmar, Sweden.
The system, which is to be known under the name Smart Heat Grid, is based on intelligent control functions that manage the interactions between production, distribution and consumption in the heating network.
NODA claim that this technology is capable of achieving greater energy efficiency and therefore better durability long-term.
The principle of the system is simple, according to NODA. Virtually every building has energy stored as heat, as a consequence real-time analysis of several interlinked properties together with the Smart Heat Grid system can therefore help control the energy reserve to deliver heat to other parts of the network, with less “stored “energy.
This method consequently results in a reduction of peak consumption without affecting the indoor climate as well as a flattening of the load on the network over a period of 24 hours.
The other major advantage of the grid, claims the designer of the system, is that the flow of heat in the pipes is more uniform, and therefore there is less stress and strain on the boilers.
Ultimately, this can lead to a situation whereby a network can be expanded without investing in new boilers or upgrade the piping, all whilst improving the environmental impact.
Kalmar Energi launched this pilot system in 10 properties over 2014 and 2015. Today, there are 50 buildings which have been linked up to the Smart Heat Grid, including Linnaeus University.
Mattias Hedberg, the project manager for the smart heat grid system with Kalmar Energi, commented on the project, saying:
“At Kvarnholmen in Kalmar there are plans for a new university, a hotel and other premises. Without a smart district-heating network Kalmar Energi would need to lay more district-heating pipes to Kvarnholmen. Now we can handle the new buildings with the existing district-heating pipework. The only thing we need to add is the pipes to connect the new buildings.”
On behalf of NODA, Patrick Isacson, the CEO of NODA, stressed the importance of digitalization in modern district heating networks, declaring:
“Digitalisation of the energy industry is important both locally and nationally, as it provides major efficiency and environmental gains.”
Once again, Sweden has demonstrated to the rest of the world that it continues to lead the way in district heating technology.
