4G: Lower temperature, digitalization, smarter district heating
The latest on District Energy in Denmark, State of Green
Japanese/Danish DH event June 24, 2021
Jan Eric Thorsen, Director Danfoss DCS-DBL Application Centre
1 | Danfoss Heating Segment – DCS – DBL Application Centre

Jan Eric Thorsen - 2021

About Danfoss and the segments

Mads Clausen

2 | Danfoss Heating Segment – DCS – DBL Application Centre

Jan Eric Thorsen - 2021

My backgroundM.Sc. Jan Eric Thorsen
Director, DCS-DBL Application Centre
By Danfoss since 2000
Consultant with focus on appl. knowledge-3 | Danfoss Heating Segment – DCS – DBL Application Centre

Dynamic simulation of HVAC systems
Lab and field test experience
R&D within products/SW
Conceptual development of DH/systems
Feasibility studies on concept/systems
Positioning Danfoss concepts/solutions
Positioning of DH/DC in the current and futureenergy system

Jan Eric Thorsen - 2021

1G to 4G District Heating: The overview figure

Link to paper

4 | Danfoss Heating Segment – DCS – DBL Application Centre

Jan Eric Thorsen - 2021

The focus of this presentation
2. Digitalization (Building level impact)- AI based building control
3. Smart DH (System level)- The Danfoss Nordborg Campus heat transfer station

1. Lowering the temperatures (Building level impact)- Domestic hot water system- Heating system

4. Final considerations on 4G DH

5 | Danfoss Heating Segment – DCS – DBL Application Centre

Jan Eric Thorsen - 2021

1Lowering the DH temperatures (Domestic Hot Water)
The impact of thermal length of heat exchangers• Domestic Hot Water (DHW)• Supply temperatures for building substation is reduced !
• BUT: DHW demands remains the same, how to handle this ?
• Here the Heat Exchanger comes into focus !

Conventional heat exchanger
40 plates
60°C
50°C

dT=39,1°C

dT=38,9°C

21,1°C

Conventional heat exchanger
60 plates
57°C
50°C

10°C

17,9°C

10°C

Energy efficient heat exchanger
60 plates
57°C
50°C
dT=41,2°C

15,8°C
6 | Danfoss Heating Segment – DCS – DBL Application Centre

Jan Eric Thorsen - 2021

10°C

Improved heatexchanger technology

1Lowering the DH temperatures (Heating)
What to have in mind

• Space Heating• Heat emitters:• Radiators: need to be dimensioned for 55°C supply, 25°C return for 20°C indoor air temperature• Floor heating: No impact as floor heating is designed for 40/25/20°C• Control equipment:• In general, there are no impact on the currently applied control equipment buthigh focus on smart controllers (AI), like Leanheat on substation level and SOLO on heat emitter level

7 | Danfoss Heating Segment – DCS – DBL Application Centre

Jan Eric Thorsen - 2021

2

Digitalization – AI based building control

8 | Danfoss Heating Segment – DCS – DBL Application Centre

Jan Eric Thorsen - 2021

2

Digitalization – AI based building control

Key Benefit

20% of reduction inpeak power is 6-10%saving in energy costand reduced CO2emissions

9 | Danfoss Heating Segment – DCS – DBL Application Centre

Jan Eric Thorsen - 2021

2Digitalization – AI based building control

10 | Danfoss Heating Segment – DCS – DBL Application Centre

Jan Eric Thorsen - 2021

Objective:

Create a totally flat daily
power profile

Scale:

10 buildings (2018-2019)

Result:~85 % of theoreticalmaximum reduction~15% peak load reduction

3

Smart District HeatingDanfoss Campus Nordborg is connected to the
local District Heating system
Sector integration by utilization of:Heat export from Danfoss to DH system (6MW)- Process heat, with/with out electric HP- Data center, with heat pump
- Backup/peak load boiler for DH system (18MW)
Heat import from SONFOR (6MW)- Based on Biomass, substituting gas boiler and gas CHP
Will be used as one of the Danfoss Campus ADC´s

11 | Danfoss Heating Segment – DCS – DBL Application Centre

Jan Eric Thorsen - 2021

Final consideration: 4G is the future of District Heating !
• District Heating / Cooling is a continuously developing technology• 4GDH is an enabler for energy efficient utilization of local renewables and waste heat sources• 4GDH/DC is the optimal coupling point between the future renewable based power sector andthe heating & cooling sector (smart electrification)• Existing district heating systems can transition to 4GDH, but require long term planning andactive engagement between utilities and building owners• DH utilities need to work together with the heat customers to ensure the building installations
complement the 4GDH

District energy is an obvious part of the future energy system
12 | Danfoss Heating Segment – DCS – DBL Application Centre

Jan Eric Thorsen - 2021