Norsyn equals foresight. Within that lies our vision to develop.
The development projects listed below are our contribution to future solutions in energy and construction. They involve: plastic pipes, thermonet, low-temperature district heating, drones, hybrid energy networks, and tank scanning.
It’s our pursuit to improve what we know and explore what we don’t, so together we can create a more sustainable future
At Norsyn, we view the new generation of plastic pipes as an essential part of both today’s and tomorrow’s district heating systems.
The advantages of the new pipes include a 30–50% more efficient construction process, a lower CO₂ footprint during production, reduced overall costs, and improved and safer installation without open flame or the need for specialist skills.
We have contributed to several pioneering projects using this new pipe technology – including its implementation in Denmark’s largest district heating rollout at Vestforbrænding. This project marks a milestone toward achieving Denmark’s green energy goals by paving the way for wider adoption of plastic pipes, which outperform steel in several areas: climate impact, work environment, cost, and time.
Thermonet is a district heating system specifically designed for areas where it is not profitable to establish a traditional system, for example in areas with few buildings.
With thermonet or cold district heating, as it is also called, energy is drawn from existing energy sources, such as geothermal energy, and resources are utilized in this way.
Together with Lind & Risør, we have developed the largest system of this type in Denmark.
Temperature optimization is an important tool in efforts to save energy and a key prerequisite for 4th generation district heating. By lowering the return temperature in radiators, the overall system efficiency can be improved without compromising indoor comfort.
That is why we have designed a new thermostat that maximizes the energy yield from district heating. The thermostat has been developed in collaboration with Danfoss, DTU, Frederiksberg Utility, the Danish Energy Agency, and EUDP, and is distributed by Danfoss. It will be implemented in both new constructions and retrofit installations.
When the return temperature is lowered, it becomes possible to reduce the supply temperature in the district heating network. This is a decisive step towards low-temperature district heating and a central element in the transition to 4th generation district heating in urban areas.
The project concerns a so-called double loop network, where district heating and district cooling are integrated within the same infrastructure.
The project focuses on developing and documenting a control system capable of handling variations and creating balance in temperature, pressure, and flow, thereby ensuring stable operation. This includes flexible connection to various energy sources and optimization of heat and cooling distribution at low temperature levels.
Norsyn contributes with overall project management as well as technical advisory services and know-how. The system is being developed and tested in collaboration with Grundfos, DTU, GG District Heating, and CTR, and runs from 2024 to 2027.
The double loop concept will contribute to more efficient utilization of infrastructure and reduced capital expenditure by combining heating and cooling in a single integrated system.
Read more about the project here.
In connection with the inspection and scanning of buildings, district heating tanks, district heating expansion areas, etc., we often use drone technology. The drone is a significant inspection tool and an important part of our daily work. It is used, among other things, to take thermal images and for ongoing orthophotos of expansion areas. Thermal images are included in condition assessments of buildings, tanks, and pipeline networks, where we can, for example, get an indication of the condition of individual pipes and thus assess the need for maintenance and/or replacement.
At Norsyn, together with international specialists, we have developed a technology to scan district heating tanks to estimate the tank’s maintenance needs. A district heating tank is a PtX technology (Power-to-X) that has existed since the 1980s.
By cutting through the outer steel layer and insulation at various points on the tank, we can insert scanners that send small vibrations through the entire inner structure. The individual measurements allow us to simulate data of the entire tank through calculations. This gives us a picture of where the tank needs to be reinforced and repaired to last many more years.
The tank normally has a lifespan of 20-30 years, after which it is typically decommissioned, but with tank scanning, it is possible to simulate the current condition of the tanks and assess what is needed for them to last longer.