• Decarbonising district heating: A profitable pathway to net-zero​

    Sector coupling of district heating and power systems is transformative for Europe's energy future.​

District heating plays a crucial role in accelerating decarbonisation by providing a flexible, integrated, and renewable-based energy system.

District heating is a profitable pathway to net zero.

It is an underutilised flexible energy solution for Europe to achieve cost-effective decarbonisation when used with Combined Heat and Power (CHP) engines.

It has vast potential to drastically scale renewable energy usage by drawing on various renewable and low-carbon heat sources, thus reducing dependency on fossil fuels. 

Webinar: Decarbonising district heating and cooling: a profitable pathway to net-zero

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Combined heat and power technology

With its district heating technologies, Wärtsilä is at the forefront of the transition towards a 100% renewable energy future and helps to accelerate to the most reliable, cost optimal, and net zero energy future. 

Sector coupling of district heating and power systems plays an increasingly important role and is transformative for Europe’s energy future. Combined heat and power engines and flexible technology like heat pumps optimise energy use. They dynamically select between heat and power production technologies to adapt to market prices, maximising economic returns. For example, when renewable energy is abundant, heat pumps and electric boilers absorb the extra energy. When solar and wind are low, these engines produce heat for cities and power for the grid, keeping energy supply reliable. 

The Wärtsilä Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant is a cost-effective and innovative solution where total efficiency can exceed 90%. The most common heat products are hot water or steam, which makes it perfect for both industrial and district heating purposes. 

  • Combined heat and power (CHP) plants

    Wärtsilä combined heat and power (CHP) plants are designed to meet the customer's specific needs, be it steam generation, district heating, hot or chilled water, or a combination of the above.

    Discover our engine technology

Related technologies

Get in touch with our District Heating expert

"District heating has untapped potential in Europe to be a profitable pathway to net zero. It is more than just heating homes – it is about enabling renewable energy growth, offering flexibility, and creating a viable solution for coal-dependent countries transitioning to cleaner energy."

Igor Petryk

Market Development Director

Wärtsilä Energy


References

  • Flexible combined heat and power plant (CHP) enabling coal phase-out in Bremen, Germany

    Wärtsilä and Uniper enable a revenue-adding transition from coal to gas for public utility swb Erzeugung in Bremen, Germany.

    Read More
  • DREWAG_ (1920 x 690 px)
    Flexible combined heat and power plant (CHP) enabling energy transition in Germany

    DREWAG, the local utility company in Dresden, is taking on the German energy transition by investing in a flexible 94-MW combined heat and power (CHP) engine power plant from Wärtsilä.

    Read More

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