Leanheat® Building adds intelligence and reduces production costs to Vantaa Energy's district heating

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Leanheat® Building, heating optimization solution, supports district heating companies in the green transition. The system, based on artificial intelligence and predictive analytics, optimizes heating in real-time, helping to reduce energy consumption in buildings and cut peak power demand. Simultaneously, it enables the utilization of buildings' heating flexibility in district heating production planning. For example, Vantaa Energy's intelligent district heating is based on a Leanheat® Building solution.

Vantaa Energy has set a goal to be carbon-neutral by 2030. To achieve this ambitious goal, the company is heavily investing in new technologies and improving energy efficiency. One of the key projects is the modernization of Vantaa's heat production and distribution system, through which Vantaa Energy aims for heating flexibility, intelligent district heating control, and environmentally friendly energy production.

The solution offered by Danfoss is based on an innovative AI solution and predictive analytics. The collaboration with Vantaa Energy began in 2021, and in the spring of 2023, Vantaa Energy changed the primary product offered to large residential buildings to intelligent district heating. Due to a successful collaboration Leanheat® Building so far has been implemented in 300 buildings.

A win for both partners

Danfoss Leanheat® Building, intelligent heating optimization, has brought significant advantages to Vantaa Energy in managing production and the district heating network. Our collaboration has been smooth: we have gotten off to a good start, and the implementation has been quick. No apartment-specific sensors are needed, as installations are only done in the heat distribution room.

Petri Penttinen, Development Manager at Vantaa Energy

This innovative approach reflects the commitment of both companies to enhancing efficiency in district heating systems through collaboration.

Vantaa Energy has shown bold leadership by being the first Finnish district heating company to integrate Leanheat® Building into its district heating product. For us at Danfoss Leanheat®, it has been a pleasure to be involved in developing this groundbreaking and ambitious project. The collaboration has also proven that Danfoss Leanheat ® can deliver a similar turnkey solution to other district heating companies.

Lauri Hiekkanen, Responsible for sales at Danfoss Leanheat®

Significant Benefits for Housing Companies and Residents

The benefits of intelligent district heating are undeniable for both housing companies and residents. With the help of AI, heating energy consumption peaks are leveled, and under-heating and over-heating of individual apartments is reduced. This improves living comfort and brings significant savings in heating costs. Experience shows that intelligent district heating can reduce energy consumption by an average of 5%.

The benefits of intelligent district heating also extend to the environment. When heating energy is used more efficiently, emissions from heat production and distribution decrease. Additionally, leveling consumption peaks reduces the need for expensive fossil fuels in heat production. This supports the strategic goal of many energy companies, including Vantaa Energy, to transition towards clean energy.

Leanheat® — For true energy optimization. From people to production.

Buildings account for a staggering 40 percent of the world’s energy consumption. And in Europe alone, almost a third of residential heating comes from fossil fuels.
Leanheat empowers district energy networks to optimize the operational efficiency of buildings and increase the comfort of end-users through end-to-end software solutions.