After years of preparation, the excess heat from European Energy’s large Power-to-X (PtX) facility in Kassø has now been successfully integrated into the local district heating network. In May, the PtX plant was inaugurated, and in June, the first commercial deliveries of excess heat began flowing to Aabenraa Fjernvarme. Since then, these deliveries have amounted to a seven-digit number of kilowatt-hours.

Rene Alcaraz Frederiksen, Director of Kassø PtX at European Energy, stated to Energy Supply, “In this first phase, we have already delivered more than 1 million kWh of excess heat to the local network.” This energy is enough to cover a full year’s heating needs for nearly 60 households.

Read the full article at Energy Supply

Integrating energy through sector coupling

The energy being delivered comes from the water used in the electrolysis process at Kassø. This water, which exits the facility at a temperature of around 50 degrees Celsius, is upgraded to 65-72 degrees Celsius using a heat pump before being pumped into the district heating network.

While the heat delivery from the electrolysis facility is not constant, it fluctuates between 0 and 8 MW depending on methanol production.

“We work closely with Aabenraa Fjernvarme and share our expected production profile so they can adjust their biomass consumption accordingly,” Frederiksen explained. So far, the facility has reached a load level of 4-5 MW and expects to reach full capacity of 8 MW by the end of the year.

In addition to Kassø, European Energy is also running a smaller-scale test facility in Måde, near Esbjerg, where excess heat is already being supplied to Din Forsyning. “Although on a smaller scale, this demonstrates how the excess heat from our projects can contribute to local district heating systems. We are also in dialogue with Aabenraa Fjernvarme and others interested in receiving excess heat,” Frederiksen said.

Also read: Denmark’s latest hydrogen plant is now operational

The potential of sector coupling

Sector coupling – the integration of different energy systems such as electricity, heat, and gas – is a key element in the transition to a sustainable energy future. By utilising excess heat from projects like Kassø and Måde, renewable energy sources can be better integrated into existing infrastructure, reducing waste and optimising energy use across sectors.

For Aabenraa Fjernvarme, the excess heat from Kassø is just one of three projects aimed at optimising energy use. The company is also working on a 1 MW heat pump at Aabenraa Hospital and a 4.5 MW heat pump at a local wastewater treatment plant. Together, these projects, including Kassø, are expected to deliver nearly 30 percent of the company’s base load.

This integration of excess heat into district heating networks highlights the growing role of sector coupling in Denmark’s energy landscape, offering not just efficiency but also a cleaner, more flexible energy system.