Page 29 - European Energy Innovation - autumn 2018 publication
P. 29
Autumn 2018 European Energy Innovation 29
COMMUNICATION
Green business
and black numbers
By Steen Schelle Jensen, Head of Product Management, Kamstrup
Digitalisation is the lever for based transparency to reduce losses, experts and technology providers is
an integrated and efficient increase operational efficiency, key to solving this challenge.
energy system with district improve utilisation and maintenance
heating as its natural of the distribution network as well as In an ongoing project with one of
cornerstone. It will not happen streamline the heavy investments in the world’s biggest district heating
on its own accord but Danish this area. utilities, AffaldVarme Aarhus (AVA),
experiences are proving that operations staff from the utility
green business and black There is no shortcut to realising this therefore work together with data
numbers are not mutually potential – and it will not happen specialists from Kamstrup to prove
exclusive and European automatically. For district heating detailed business cases for areas
initiatives are an indicator for utilities, reaping the financial benefits where digitalisation is expected to
much more to come. from digitalisation is a process that hold financial value.
begins with them investing both their
Let us – just for a second – put time and money in digital tools that One of these many areas is leak
aside the fact that digitalising district enable them to change the way they detection based on smart meter
heating will enable a greener, more do things today. data analytics rather than aerial
integrated energy system utilising drone thermography. The project will
renewable energy sources and COLLABORATION IS KEY provide fact-based proof to validate
surplus heat to decarbonise the Few will argue that optimising AVA’s potential investment in this
heating of buildings. Digitalisation is production and distribution based on area as well as give important insight
also simply good business. real-time data is not more efficient with regard to renovation of their
than using theoretic models. But distribution network.
The total savings potential from for most utilities it is less obvious
digitalisation in the Danish utility exactly where, how and how much DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
sector is estimated at between 360 savings can be made – and that is UNDERWAY
million and 1.3 billion euros. These a prerequisite for any investment. With its strong history in district
savings will come from using data- Closer collaboration between utility heating, Denmark is amongst those
leading the way for digitalising this
sector. However, the potential is just
as relevant in other district heating
countries – and the digital movement
is making headway fast.
Initiatives such as Euroheat and
Power’s recently released Digital
Roadmap for District Heating & Cooling
are generating all new awareness and
insight into the possibilities, challenges
and potential in digitalisation.
Combined with real-life showcases like
the AVA project that produce quantified
results, this is what will pave the way
for digital utilities with bottom lines
that are as green as they are black.
kamstrup.com l
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