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The concept of future sustainability is driving efforts toward the efficient improvement of energy systems. District heating systems play a key role in balancing the energy system by improving performance and flexibility. As system efficiency increases, fuel consumption decreases, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating potential climate impacts, especially when using fossil fuels. In Sweden, district heating has shown significant growth, with a 75 % increase in total heat production over the last 30 years. Furthermore, carbon dioxide emissions have been reduced by approximately 50 % for each delivered kWh in the past 20 years, while renewable energy sources have doubled in the district heating sector. This thesis focuses on optimizing the cooling process to achieve lower return temperatures and higher system efficiency. It also emphasizes the importance of implementing an efficient heat consumption strategy to reduce peak loads and improve overall system efficiency. This approach involves managing demand to minimize peak heat requirements and distribute the load evenly throughout the day, leading to a more resource-effective and efficient system. The case study examines district heating supplied by VB Energy to Ludvikahem AB buildings, using data from Dec 2022 to Jan 2023. Quantitative data from district heating substations and the district heating plant are collected and analyzed to generate qualitative insights. The study proposes theoretical optimization measures based on the findings. The evaluation of substation performance reveals 20 poorly performing substations with various issues. Eight of these substations have technical problems related to substation components, while another eight experience management issues not aligned with specific activity profiles. The load shifting simulation demonstrates a 3% reduction in heat rate peak levels, resulting in approximately 7 kW of subscribed heat rate savings. Energy usage savings reach approximately 0.9%, leading to an increase in energy usage effectiveness. The cost savings amounted to about 3000 SEK over two months for a single building. This research emphasizes the importance of routine control, inspection, and documentation of substation performance to ensure optimal efficiency. Furthermore, indicates that the poorly performing substations that contribute to inefficiencies in the district heating network. Additionally, real-time regulation and load-shifting strategies are vital for optimizing customer consumption and maintaining an efficient district heating system, benefiting both suppliers and consumers.

Den här rapporten handlar om en ändring i livsmedelsföretaget Freezing Food Småland Öland AB:s avfrostningsrutin för deras förångare i frysrummet. Ändringen gick ut på att avfrostningstiden och maxtemperaturen sänktes samt att tiden mellan avfrostningarna nu sker varannan i stället för varje natt. Syftet var att undersöka om ändringen av rutinen hade bidragit till en minskad energiförbrukning i förhållande till innan ändringen gjordes genom att också granska andra faktorer än själva avfrostningen som kunde tänkas påverka energiförbrukningen. Metoden gick ut på att insamla och analysera stora datamängder tillhandahållna av företaget för att sedan reducera dem till hanterbara siffror. Även data för lokala utomhustemperaturer samlades in. Med hjälp av detta beräknades medelvärden för en given tidsperiod för energiförbrukning, lagerhållning och utomhustemperatur. Resultatet visade en sänkning av energiförbrukningen, hur stor andel som berodde på avfrostningens ändrade rutiner lämnade undersökningen obesvarat. Utomhustemperaturen bör ha minskat effektbehovet, samtidigt bör lagerhållningen ökat den. Slutsatsen blev att mer tid behövde passera och en ny undersökning behöver framställas efter att avfrostningsrutinen ändrades för att möjliggöra en säkrare bedömning. / This report is about a change in the food company Freezing Food Småland Öland AB’s defrosting routine for their evaporators in the freezer warehouse. The change was that the defrosting time and maximum temperature were reduced and that the time between defrostings now takes place every other night instead of every night. The aim was to examine whether the change in the routine had contributed to a reduction in energy consumption compared to before the change was made by also examining factors other than defrosting itself that might affect energy consumption. The method was to collect and analyze large amounts of data provided by the company and then reduce them to manageable figures. Data for local outdoor temperatures were also collected. This calculated averages for a given time period for energy consumption, warehousing and outdoor temperature. The results showed a decrease in energy consumption, the proportion due to the change in defrosting procedures left the investigation unanswered. The outdoor temperature should have reduced the power requirement, at the same time the storage should have increased it. It was concluded that more time needed to pass,and a new study needed to be produced after the defrosting routine was changed to allow for a safer assessment.