District Heating Production
District heating production is changing. Combustion-based production is being supplemented by increasingly electrified solutions, and production is now required to deliver greater energy efficiency, flexibility and predictability. This transition is happening in stages, and different production methods will continue to have their own roles going forward.
Together with its partners, Exocon develops and productises a scalable district heating heat pump plant intended for large-scale production projects implemented in phases. The solution is based on modular equipment, unified control, and a clear division of roles within the overall production system.
A scalable, productised solution for large-scale projects
District heating projects are often significant investments, where risk management, schedules and production predictability are essential. Exocon’s productised approach enables the heat pump plant to be implemented in a controlled manner, with capacity increased as needed.
This helps keep project risks under control:
- the technology is repeatable and proven
- capacity can be added in stages
- control and optimisation are unified across the entire plant
- performance can be monitored and verified throughout operation
- Exocon does not deliver a single piece of equipment, but a complete system designed to operate as part of district heating production over the long term.
Year-round operation in Nordic conditions
Exocon’s units are designed for year-round operation, with a guaranteed minimum operating temperature of –35°C. This enables heat pumps to be used in all Finnish conditions as part of district heating production.
Heat pump output is dynamically controlled according to outdoor temperature and production demand, allowing the equipment to operate optimally as part of a hybrid solution across all seasonal conditions.
District cooling and waste heat recovery
District cooling and industrial cooling are both growing, alongside an increasing need for solutions that combine cooling and heating. Exocon’s solutions can produce cooling while capturing the resulting waste heat for use in district heating production or other applications.
Cooling is not a separate add-on, but part of an integrated system in which energy flows are managed and utilised efficiently.
Alternative solutions for district heating customers
For district heating companies, retaining customers is essential – including in situations where a customer is considering leaving the district heating network, for example due to emissions or cost targets. In such cases, the company needs to be able to offer alternative, electrified, low-emission heating solutions on the customer’s own site.
Exocon’s heat pump solutions enable a district heating company to offer the customer a local heat pump plant, a service model and control – even if the customer is no longer part of the actual district heating network. This allows the customer relationship and business to continue in a new form.
New business beyond the network
A separate area of opportunity is business beyond the network. It is not always possible or practical to build a district heating network everywhere. Industrial sites, new developments and distributed customers need local solutions where heating and cooling are produced electrically and in a controlled manner.
Exocon’s productised heat pump plant is also suitable for these applications, enabling district heating companies to grow throughout Finland without needing to build network infrastructure.