Towards intelligent heat management in buildings

Brunata is participating in an ambitious research project aimed at exploring how artificial intelligence and wireless energy meters can help housing associations and landlords utilise heat more intelligently – and more sustainably.

The project, named HeatCheck, is led by researchers from DTU Construct and is carried out in close collaboration with utility companies, housing associations, and companies such as Brunata, which specialises in consumption accounting.

The project makes use of the vast amounts of data collected daily by wireless heat cost allocators already installed – including those installed by Brunata – in thousands of homes across the country.

“The combination of data from heat allocators and newly developed digital tools gives building owners an unprecedented opportunity to operate their heating systems efficiently,” says HeatCheck project manager, Associate Professor at DTU, Christian Anker Hvid.

At the same time, there is a strong need to rethink how we heat our homes. As district heating providers gradually lower temperatures in the coming years, it will become necessary to use energy more efficiently.

“In return, the benefits are significant for both residents, property owners, and the climate,” the researcher emphasises. “The savings potential amounts to billions of euros across the EU.”

Read also: DTU study shows that intelligent heat management delivers major savings on heating bills

Better and greener use of heat

Kees van der Veer, VP of IT & Software Development at Brunata, welcomes the collaboration:

“We have previously participated in research projects with DTU and gained valuable insights. A recently completed study clearly demonstrated that there is great potential to utilise district heating in residential buildings far more efficiently.”

“With HeatCheck, we are now taking the next step. We are contributing to the development of concrete models and tools that can control and optimise heat usage much more precisely – for the benefit of both residents and the climate.”

Brunata already uses data in its solutions today – from consumption accounting and EED notifications to IoT-based services that help housing associations optimise their energy use.

With the results from HeatCheck, the hope is to further accelerate energy optimisation. Using advanced AI models, the vast amounts of data will be analysed and converted into actionable insights.

“Hopefully, this means that heat can be controlled more precisely, faults can be detected earlier, and energy can be used far more efficiently. The result will be less waste, lower costs, and improved comfort – benefitting both residents and the climate.”

A broad collaboration with a shared goal

“HeatCheck is a very good example of how far we can go when we work together across disciplines and industries,” says Jesper Holm Kristoffersen, CEO at Brunata. “If we are to succeed with the green transition – and we must – there is a real need to think outside the box and make full use of each other’s knowledge, experience, and competencies.”

Behind HeatCheck stands a strong consortium consisting of DTU, district heating companies such as HOFOR, Aalborg Forsyning and Horsens Fjernvarme, housing associations such as KAB, Boligselskabet Sjælland and Bolig Horsens – as well as the companies Brunata, Ista and Techem.

“It is powerful that we can jointly develop a digital toolbox designed to make it easier for building owners to gain an overview, identify issues, and optimise their heating systems.”

“We are in the midst of a green technological breakthrough. When we use data the right way, we can make district heating intelligent – and buildings more sustainable,” says the HeatCheck project team.

Follow the project

HeatCheck was launched in 2023 and is already well underway. The project’s progress can be followed on its website: heatcheck.dtu.dk