Project description
- See-Energie-Netz Horw Kriens (LU)
- Heat recovery from Lake Lucerne
- 6x Cowa COMPACT Cell 58 buffer storage tanks
- 78 kWh total storage capacity
- 3.6 x 2.04m Required floor space for 6x buffer storage tanks
Challenges and solutions
The See-Energie-Netz Horw Kriens district heating project is a prime example of the use of innovative storage technology in municipal heat supply. One of the biggest challenges was to maximize the efficiency of the system with limited space and to smooth out peak loads. The aim is to connect more customers to the grid and supply them with the available heat from Lake Lucerne. Thanks to our compact design and modular storage technology, we were able to offer an optimal solution to this challenge.In this pilot project, our technology is being used to find out how PCM storage systems can be used in heating networks. Six Cowa storage units were installed in the heating room of an apartment building in Horw. The energy is supplied by a large heat pump in the district heating center and delivered to the individual consumers. The source for the heat pump is the Seezentrale in Horw, which connects the district heating network with Lake Lucerne.
The project enables EWL to effectively balance out its peak loads in the heating network - especially at times when energy demand is particularly high. This leads to an even distribution of heat and creates the basis for connecting even more households to the heating network.
The project is a joint effort, we bring together our know-how and our technologies.
Project benefits
- Efficient use of energy: Our storage units make a significant contribution to optimizing energy flows in the See-Energie-Netz Horw Kriens district heating network.
- Smoothing of peak loads: Thanks to heat storage in the Cowa storage system, peak loads in the network are smoothed. The energy is first drawn from the storage tanks and only then from the grid.
- Space-saving solution: Thanks to our compact design, buffer storage could be used despite limited space. Without any structural measures.
- Hygienic operation: Our high-quality materials and our instantaneous water heater principle guarantee a hygienically perfect heat supply.
- Sustainability: The thermal storage tanks support the use of renewable energy sources and help to reduce CO₂ emissions.
A pilot project with visions for the future
The pilot project for innovative storage technology in the See-Energie-Netz Horw Kriens district heating network is one of the winning projects in the “Climate and Energy Pilot Projects” funding program of the Canton of Lucerne. The aim of the project is to test a sustainable and future-oriented heat supply. As part of a three-year test phase, we are investigating how the thermal storage systems we supply can contribute to smoothing peak loads, reducing CO₂ emissions and increasing efficiency in network operation.
The project is an important milestone on the way to a climate-friendly energy supply and will provide valuable insights that can be groundbreaking not only for the city of Lucerne, but also for comparable projects throughout Switzerland and worldwide.A clear goal of all those involved: “We want to aim higher. The prototype should show that and how the innovative storage solution also works on a large scale. The aim is to roll out the concept to entire district grids and other heating networks.” Jörg Hoffmann, Innovation Manager Heat EWL
We at Cowa Thermal Solutions AG are proud to be part of this future solution with our technology.
