Alfa Laval heat exchangers ensure energy efficiency when ESS becomes part of heat recovery for the district heating network

Recovered, fossil-free waste heat from the European Spallation Source (ESS) will be connected to the district heating network in Lund, Sweden – and Alfa Laval will supply heat exchangers using emission-free steel from SSAB to ensure the most energy efficient solution.

According to the IEA, district heating networks can play a crucial role in achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The expansion of these systems is projected to provide about 20 percent of global space heating needs in 2030, up from 15 percent in 2020. District heating and cooling is a sustainable system built on resource efficiency. By converting waste heat from industries energy can be reused to satisfy local heating and cooling demands. Sweden has one of the world’s most advanced systems for district heating and cooling, making it a front-runner in the field.

ESS will now become connected to the district heating network and contribute with fossil-free waste heat to the district heating in southern Sweden. Alfa Laval will supply heat exchangers to the system, including Concept Zero^TM, the world's first heat exchanger made using emission-free steel, SSAB Zero^TM, enhancing sustainability at the core of the solution.

“This collaboration demonstrates how we, by joining forces, can use existing accessible technologies and networks to drive the energy transition and develop more sustainable cities” says Julien Gennetier, Vice President of the Energy Division at Alfa Laval.

“We are proud to be part of this initiative,” says ESS Director General Helmut Schober. “Taking measures for sustainability fully resonates with the mission of our facility, where research in material and life sciences will contribute to addressing global challenges”.

“Various smart local energy sector solutions are crucial components of the global climate transition. We are pleased that ESS will contribute to our district heating system. When Kraftringen’s high efficient district heating systems are recovering residual heat, energy waste is minimized,” says Sezgin Kadir, CEO, Kraftringen Energi.

“The solution is a good example of how the society can reuse waste heat in different processes, and is in line with our globally launched COP28 awarded heating and cooling solution E.ON ectogrid™”, says Carin Kuylenstierna, Head of Strategy & Sustainability at E.ON.

“What is happening now is world-leading and is an important step for the City of Lund to become climate neutral by 2030,” says Anders Almgren, Mayor and Chairman of the City Executive Committee in the City of Lund.

“To curb global warming, the world must reduce its CO₂ emissions and find efficient uses of energy. Partnerships and projects like these, where the whole value-chain work together, are crucial to meet the climate goals,” says Thomas Hörnfeldt, Vice President of Sustainable Business at SSAB.”

The strategic partnership not only underscores the importance of leveraging existing technologies but also marks a significant milestone in the journey towards more sustainable and efficient cities globally.

Read more

Concept Zero heat exchangers, previous news

ESS; https://ess.eu/explore

E.ON; www.eon.se

Kraftringen; www.kraftringen.se

SSAB; www.ssab.com

For more information, please contact: 

Anna Hall
Public Affairs Manager Energy Division, Alfa Laval
Mobile: +46 725 544 865
anna.hall@alfalaval.com

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