District heating network engineering and consulting services
District heating and district cooling network engineering and consulting
Designing district heating networks requires an understanding of energy infrastructure, urban environments and network reliability. Reliable and cost-effective district heating and district cooling networks will continue to be a significant competitive advantage for the Nordics in the future. We help district heating companies to design and renew district heating networks as energy production becomes more diverse, the use of waste heat increases and new requirements are set for the network reliability.
District heating networks are being renewed as part of society’s energy transition.
The use of renewable energy sources in district heating and cooling creates new opportunities for district heating companies. District heating can be produced using electric boilers, for example from waste heat generated by data centres, when the district heating network is connected to the electricity grid.
Sweco’s experts help develop district heating and district cooling networks in densely built urban environments.
In-depth knowledge of the operating environment for district heating networks
Sweco’s engineering and expert services cover new-build, renovation and modernisation projects for district heating and district cooling networks of all sizes. Our services support district heating companies when networks are expanded, old pipelines are renewed, or the reliability and capacity of a district heating network are improved.
We support district heating infrastructure development with asset management services, helping to prioritise renovation surveys and plan long-term maintenance of the district heating network.
We use map-based network modelling to plan district heating pipeline routes. Clash detection helps coordinate new district heating and district cooling connections, utility diversions and network renovations with other urban infrastructure, while supporting safe implementation in densely built environments.
Sweco’s services for district heating network projects
- Preliminary, general and detailed design of district heating and district cooling networks
- District heating pipeline route planning and support with dimensioning
- Utility diversions and coordination with other urban infrastructure
- Network modelling, clash detection and network optimisation
- Geotechnical design and assessment of construction conditions
- Support with construction permit processes
- Site visits, environmental services and nature surveys
- Asset management, utility maps and support for maintenance planning
- Project management, construction management and supervision
Frequently asked questions about district heating networks
District heating is a centralised heating solution in which heat is produced, for example, in power plants, heat pump plants or from waste heat sources and transferred to clients through a district heating network. District heating is used to heat buildings and domestic hot water, and its performance is based on efficient production, a heat distribution pipeline network and reliable district heating infrastructure.
District cooling is a centralised cooling solution in which chilled water is produced centrally and distributed through a district cooling network to cool buildings. District cooling can be used, for example, in offices, commercial premises, data centres and other properties that require energy-efficient and reliable cooling.
District cooling and district heating are both centralised energy and network solutions in which heating or cooling is produced centrally and distributed to clients through a pipeline network. They can complement each other, particularly in urban environments where energy production, waste heat recovery, cooling and heating are designed as an integrated district energy network.
District heating network engineering covers the design of district heating pipelines, routes, connections, utility diversions and technical network solutions to ensure that the network operates safely, cost-effectively and reliably. The engineering and consulting may also address pipeline dimensioning, network modelling, clash detection, support with permit processes, supervision during construction, network reliability, maintenance and future changes in energy production.
Renovation or modernisation may become necessary when the age of the network, capacity requirements, new connections, changes in the urban environment or changes in energy production require the network to be renewed. Asset management supports decision-making by compiling information on the network’s condition, service life and critical assets, enabling renovation and maintenance measures to be prioritised over the long term.
Waste heat can be used in district heating production when production systems, heat pumps, electrical systems and the district heating network are designed to operate as an integrated whole.
Network modelling helps visualise routes, coordinate district heating pipelines with other infrastructure and reduce implementation risks, particularly in densely built urban environments.
Contact our experts!
Antti Ryynänen
Business Director, Water and Energy Networks