Project Description
Öresundskraft invests in monitoring district heating networks
Öresundskraft is strengthening the monitoring of its district heating network, with the help of Wideco. This initiative has the potential to save hundreds of millions of SEK.
– We work by the motto: to measure is to know.
More measurement tools provide us with the information we need to take the right actions and use our resources in the most efficient way possible, says Magnus Ohlsson, Technical Director for district heating and cooling networks at Öresundskraft.
The district heating distribution in Helsingborg is monitored and maintained by Öresundskraft, which, among other things, has a 55 kilometer long eternit culvert network. For this purpose, they have recently purchased a large number of sensor units – including from Wideco.
The purpose of the sensor units is to provide access to the right information at the right time. According to Magnus Ohlsson, this could potentially lead to savings of hundreds of millions SEK:
– If we can detect deviations at an early stage, the chances increase that we can repair our large eternit culverts, instead of having to replace them. If we succeed in this, it could mean savings of around 300 million SEK.
What Wideco is set to deliver is a non-stationary sensor unit — an innovative, newly developed smart solution that measures the presence of water, water levels, temperatures, and humidity in the chambers. A total of 900 units will be installed in Öresundskraft’s culverts.
During the procurement process, Öresundskraft first identified the criteria that needed to be met. For example, the sensors needed to withstand the high humidity in their intended locations without rusting. Additionally, there were requirements regarding the width of the units so they could be properly placed. Once the requirements were defined, the selection process focused primarily on pricing.
– The reason we chose Wideco is that they can deliver the quality we need at a competitive price, says Magnus Ohlsson.
The agreement between Wideco and Öresundskraft spans eight years, and by the turn of 2025/2026, Magnus Ohlsson expects that all 900 sensors will be installed. Once in place, the hope is that they will be functional for at least 10, but preferably 20 years.
From Wideco’s side, we look forward with excitement to the results that both parties hope that the company’s solution in the ENERGY business area will generate.
– We are of course very proud and happy to have won the tender and been awarded the assignment. Now that we have realized how incredibly large savings Öresundskraft can make thanks to our innovative and efficient application solutions, our commitment is further strengthened, says Karl-Johan Wirfalk, CEO of Wideco.