Fjordvarme
Eid Commune, Sogn og Fjordane County, Norway
PROJECT TEAM & PARTNERS
Managing director- Magne Hjelle
Chairman of the board - Arild Hjelmeland
CONTRACT VALUE - As of 01.01.08 approximately 26 million Nkr
FUNDING - Combination of funding from Eid Commune, Sogn og Fjordane County, Norwegian Pollution Control Authority, Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, ENOVA and private developers and housebuilders
TIMESCALE - 7 years and ongoing
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
The Fjordvarme project is about using thermal energy from seawater for heating and cooling office/public buildings, sport arenas and private houses.
The technology acquired is quite simple. Seawater, in this case
from the fiord, is pumped to a land-based exchanger, which
exchanges heating through a pipeline in the ground. All users are
connected through this pipeline, and buildings, ventilation air and
consume water are heated with the help of heat exchangers. Cooling
of buildings then takes place with the help of ventilation systems
or fans. Waterborne heating is a prerequisite.
The uniqueness of Fjordvarme lays in the fact that heating and
cooling is based on the same pipe coils. The system is much cheaper
in use than ordinary district heating and cooling systems. It is
also more flexible, both regarding combination with other energy
systems like bio pellets, gas and electricity, as well as the
amount for heating/cooling delivered. It is also possible to build
out the system in different phases and easily adapt existing
buildings around it.
Fjordvarme gives 100% clean and renewable energy. Even more so, the energy source is inexhaustible. This means that it is not influenced by the amount of rain coming down, the air temperature level or the wind force to function well. In fact, the system acquires very little intervention, since there is neither need for large installations or buildings, nor for visible infrastructure.
Based on the use of a local energy source (sea/ocean), this technology gives reduced need for oil and electrical power, which subsequently can reduce the need for development of high-voltage network, while inducing only a very little energy loss in the network.
The potential for reduced greenhouse effects by using Fjordvarme is equivalent of 100,000 tons CO2 per year in Sogn og Fjordane County and approximately 1,500,000 CO2 per year for Norway. This potential is big, but it is almost not addressed at all. For Sogn og Fjordane 340GWh of energy production is possible with this technology, while this number for Norway raises approximately to 5,000GWh per year.
What Eid Commune has managed to achieve by now, is saving energy equal to 12,000,000 kWh per year. Further reductions are: 6,600 ton per year in CO2 emissions of, 8,8 tons per year in NOx emissions and finally a SO2 reduction of 36 tons per year.
Overall, the municipality of Eid saves 1.5 million kWh per year
by using Fjordvarme.
PROJECT TARGETS
Measurable targets for Fjordvarme-project:
1. Total square meters heated by Fjordvarme-technology: 125.000
2. Delivered heat exchange energy: 18.000.000 kWh
3. Yearly net energy saving: 12.000.000 khw
Achieved by now:
1. 70.000 square meters heated by Fjordvarme-technology
2. Approximately 9.000.000 kWh heat exchange energy delivered
3. Approximately 6.000.000 kWh net energy saved
INNOVATIVE PRACTICE
The way of combining heating and cooling in the same non-isolated pipe coil is an innovative practice within this project. It has gained the project by making it cheaper and easier to build, because of the associated lower infrastructure cost (also reflected in its price to the end user) compared with similar technologies.
Combining building infrastructure for Fjordvarme with
infrastructure for fibre cable /optic cable, gas, water, el-cables,
high voltage cables and other coils and cables is another way this
project has used innovative practice. This unique planning and
coordination process of different private operators and
authorities, has achieved economical/environmental benefits and
fewer disturbances because new and/or renewing infrastructure for
the inhabitants and users of the area is not anymore required.
However, the main achievement of the project is that one has
produced a new combination of a well-know technology to produce of
less greenhouse-gasses, and saving energy using environmental
friendly ways.
CHALLENGES FACED
Few barriers have been met during the process in Eid Commune. Locally, the biggest barrier was to convince builders that investing in Fjordvarme is worthwhile. Short term, Fjordvarme will cost more for the builders than other heat and cooling systems (based on electricity and wood). In the long run the figures turn positive for builders and users, and if the added value, for . example for the environment and indoor air quality is taken into account, the answer is crystal clear; Fjordvarme is the winner. Fact based information and being able to show builders the system in work, has been the best way to overcome the barriers.
On a bigger scale, it has been relatively difficult to penetrate new markets with this technology. This is partly because of the focus of other environmental technologies in the media as well as within governmental bodies. Windmills and bio pellets have been very popular solutions and have managed to sell politically. To overcome this barrier, it is necessary to establish and information office working towards media, governmental bodies, politicians and professional builders and developers.
Having established an official program for Fjordvarme would also be of great importance for success in penetrating new and larger markets. Such programs are already established for windmills and bio pellets power.
LESSONS LEARNT & APPLICABILITY IN OTHER SITUATIONS
The most significant lesson learned is that combining adequate planning and willingness to think in new ways, with technology and an open mind for co-operation (between authorities and private sector), good results are possible with relatively small investments.
The Fjordvarme-project is a good example for others to see and learn how one can be environmental friendly, make sound long-time investments that pay off on the bottom line and even achieve better life quality for the users.
CONTACT DETAILS
Managing director Magne Hjelle, Fjordvarme AS, phone + 47 57 86 48
23 - Mobile + 47 908 26 775. Mailadress: Postboks 181 - N-6772
Nordfjordeid. E-post: magne.hjelle@fjordvarme.no
or visit their website.
