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Case

Sector coupling

District energy

District heating

Decarbonising district heating using large heat pumps

24. October 2024

Solution provider

HOFOR

HOFOR - Greater Copenhagen Utility is the largest utility company in Denmark. One million Danes depend on our supplies. The company is owned by 8 municipalities, and the City of Copenhagen owns 73 per cent of the company.

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Challenge

As Copenhagen continues its path toward carbon neutrality, a significant challenge is to fully electrify the already mostly carbon-neutral district heating system. HOFOR, the Greater Copenhagen utility company, has made substantial investments in collective electric heating pumps that harness renewable energy from wind, excess heat, seawater and wastewater to generate district heating. 

Solution

This investment aims to foster industrial collaboration, finance research and demonstrate the heat pumps in practice through smart system integration. By 2033, up to ten heat pumps will be spread across Copenhagen, with a collective capacity of up to 300 MW of heat. Before establishing the new heat pumps, HOFOR dedicated several years to accumulating valuable knowledge and integrating advanced technology through three smaller heat pump projects with a combined capacity of 10 MW. 

Result

Electrified heating provides greater flexibility across the entire energy system by allowing further energy integration. The heat pumps enable the use of renewable power when it is available and source heating through sustainable biomass when it is not. This project facilitates the phasing out of fossil fuels in the heating system, thereby increasing supply security and significantly contributing to Copenhagen’s plans to become climate-positive by 2035.