City of Porvoo

Smart district heating and ventilation in Porvoo

In Porvoo, efforts have been made to reduce energy consumption and optimise energy use by using digital solutions. For example, a bidirectional district heating system and an intelligent control system were implemented at the Central School, which has 450 students, in September 2021. A new three-pipe solution for district heating has also been introduced to aid energy savings. The school can now utilise industrial waste heat at temperatures of 40–50 degrees Celsius, sourced from a few kilometres away in the industrial area. The local energy
company also benefits from this system, as its production becomes more efficient when the return water to the production facility is cooler. Additionally, it makes it easier to prepare for high energy consumption on cold days.

A more flexible, intelligent control system has also been adopted for heating properties in Porvoo. The learning AI monitors weather forecasts and observes temperature variations in the building throughout the day. Using this data, it controls the heating of the buildings in real-time, maintaining stable indoor conditions. A more consistent and predictable heating demand also reduces the need for peak capacity in heating plants.

A new intelligent ventilation control system has been implemented at the Central School and the Tolkkisten multifunctional building, which helps maintain comfortable room temperatures for users.