Local Heating
Local Heating enables energy independence
In the fight against climate change, energy independence has become a topic of interest for many. Although the issue also affects households, the greatest impact can be achieved in municipalities and cities. Increasing self-sufficiency in energy production means in practice moving to a smarter energy system that uses local heat.
Towards energy independence through local heating
Local heating creates ideal heating conditions by using local heat sources and minimising the need for purchased energy. Heat from people, sunlight, lamps and electrical appliances is recycled to heat premises and domestic hot water. Excess heat can be stored in the ground and used for heating. During daylight hours, electricity is generated from solar energy.
The idea behind local heating is to make use of the heat sources in the premises, such as heat collected from cooling systems and solar heat collected from artificial pitches or ice rinks.
In the technical implementation of local heating, the separate district heating and cooling networks are replaced by a single pair of pipes, called a heat bus. The heat bus allows low-temperature heating energy to be transferred bidirectionally between properties.
Using local heat to create carbon-neutral buildings
With local heating, the delivery and recovery of heat in buildings take turns efficiently. Heating energy is only processed in buildings so as to match the temperature levels required, which minimises transmission losses. Cooling of premises with local heat refers to the cost-efficient circulation of waste heat between buildings using a heat bus and the seasonal storage of excess heat in the ground using heat wells.
In summer, the heat wells are topped up by solar heat through the windows using a heat collection system. The electricity consumed by the heat pump system is produced as solar power, thus reducing the need for purchased electricity. Solar energy also provides part of the building’s electricity for lighting and appliances. During cold months, when the heat collection system does not provide enough heat, the heat stored in the ground is used to heat the premises.
Local heating aims to achieve carbon neutrality by using local energy sources: the aim is to find the optimal solution for heating premises in an energy-efficient way.
Our aim is to use local heating solutions to contribute primarily to the energy efficiency of schools, outdoor artificial pitches and ice rinks, thus achieving life-cycle cost savings. Energy systems designed on a case-by-case basis that use local heating are cheaper in terms of purchased energy and operation and maintenance costs than alternative methods – and above all energy self-sufficient.
