Description
District heating is a system for distributing heat generated in a centralized location. With more than 5000 district heating systems in Europe, many of them were built several decades ago and are thus using outdated technology. This leads to loss of resources and inefficiencies in heat distribution. In Europe energy service companies are offering solutions to solve the problems concerning ineffectiveness of the heating systems, energy optimization projects for buildings, building complexes or districts and settlements. The project idea is to develop an innovative ICT solution for flexible combination of various district heating sources to achieve the maximum potential of energy savings. The system provides a combination of various heating methods in real time and is implemented in local districts. To achieve this result, the project promoter has included three ICT companies as partners in the fields of automation and remote monitoring to energy management software development. This consortium is set up so that each partner complements each other and contributes their unique expertise to the consortium to cover the whole development process.
Summary of project results
Smart Heat project draws from EU energy and climate policy, including its energy efficiency directive. Smart Heat is a platform developed for district heating areas and individual buildings. It allows one to flexibly combine heating sources and results in actual monetary saving. For example, one can use more renewable energy when the weather allows it. It is also possible to shift consumption time to when the prices are lower, and consume less when the rooms stand idle. Remote surveillance and control systems increase the efficiency of network management. The application is easy to use: all information reaches the client's computer or smart phone in real time and in a user-friendly format. Consumption can be adjusted automatically or manually based on users' habits and needs. In reducing costs, ESCO – short for energy saving company - plays a vital role. The ESCO or client – perhaps a local municipality – makes the initial investment. Often this requires a loan. The ESCO commits to providing saving that will at least cover the loan payments. The rest of the gains from saving will be divided between the client and the ESCO. The project has great potential. A survey among Estonia's local governments showed that most respondents were interested in renewing their heating systems with the help of an ESCO. Smart Heat is currently being developed in Kärla parish in Saaremaa where it controls five municipal buildings and three blocks of flats. Hardware has been installed in 9 different buildings, including relatively more complex hardware in kindergarten and school buildings. Monitoring software and user interface are in place. The solution is not fully ready for commercialization yet and needs further effort, but there is high motivation for further development of the first version.
Summary of bilateral results
The Smart Heat project was executed in cooperation with Norwegian company Enoco AS. Enoco is well experienced in providing automation and energy control services to municipalities, industry and others in Norway. The intention is to continue this cooperation in order to finalize the Smart Heat solution and to be able to commercialize in Estonia, in Norway and elsewhere.