Heating Substations and Distribution Network in Warsaw

Project completed
Construction site with three workers and pipes
Construction workers improve the energy efficiency of Warsaw's district heating system © SECO

The project aims to improve the energy efficiency of Warsaw's district heating system, and to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and hazardous substances. 100 outdated group heating substations will be replaced by 765 individual substations, and over 40'000 meters of old duct type heat distribution pipes will be replaced with modern pre-insulated pipes.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Poland
Protecting the environment
Energy efficiency and renewable energy
20.07.2010 - 31.03.2017
CHF  10’628’746

Note: the texts under all the headings, with the exception of 'Results achieved', describe the situation before the start of the project.

Background

In the 1960ies and 1970ies, large multi-apartment buildings were constructed in Warsaw. Whereas new buildings are equipped with individual heating substations, the older buildings are still connected to the district heating system via group heating substations. As a consequence, heating periods and levels are regulated via these substations for all connected buildings at once, regardless the condition of the different buildings, the heating preferences of individual buildings or apartments, etc. Furthermore, the concerned buildings are in most cases connected to the district heating system by old, out-dated pipes lacking proper isolation. Therefore, heat losses are important.

Objectives

The goal of the project is to improve the district heating system's efficiency and thereby to reduce emissions and environmental pollution caused by the predominantly coal-based heating system of the multi-apartment buildings. Health and living conditions of the residents will be improved as a result.

Target groups

The direct beneficiaries are the Warsaw Capital City Heat Energy Enterprise SA (SPEC) and around 50'000 residents living in the 765 buildings where pipes and heating substations are replaced. They have been carefully selected and will not only benefit from reduced emissions and better air quality, but also from a higher living standard and decreased heating costs. Indirect beneficiaries are inhabitants of the wider region due to reduced environmental pollution.

Activities

  • Replacing group heating substations by individual heating substations
  • Replacing old type heat distribution pipes by modern pre-insulated pipes
  • Installing automated heat demand controls

Results

Achieved results:  

  • 111 old group substations have been replaced by 810 individual substations with automatic control.
  • 54,078 m of old duct type heat distributions pipes are replaced by 41,237 m of pre-insulated pipes.
  • The project has brought about important environmental effects in terms of energy savings, reduced consumption of conventional fuel (coal) by 9,480 tons per year as well as reduced emissions of CO2, SO2, NOx and PM10.
  • The residents of more than 800 multi-apartment buildings can benefit from a better controlled (and hence more efficient) energy consumption thanks to the connection to the automated individual heat exchange substations, which should also result in reduced energy bills for heating.


Directorate/federal office responsible SECO
Credit area Swiss Contribution to the enlarged EU
Project partners Contract partner
  • National Coordination Unit
  • Polish Ministry of Regional Development

Implementing partner
Warsaw Capital City Heat Energy
Enterprise SA (SPEC)

Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    10’628’746 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    9’498’498
Project phases Phase 15 01.07.2011 - 31.12.2016   (Completed) Phase 14 01.09.2010 - 31.03.2017   (Completed) Phase 12 01.09.2010 - 15.02.2017   (Completed)

Phase 11 20.07.2010 - 31.03.2017   (Completed)

Phase 10 20.07.2010 - 31.12.2016   (Completed) Phase 9 20.07.2010 - 31.03.2017   (Completed) Phase 6 23.12.2009 - 31.01.2015   (Completed) Phase 4 25.02.2010 - 31.12.2016   (Completed) Phase 3 19.05.2010 - 31.12.2016   (Completed) Phase 2 27.01.2010 - 31.03.2017   (Completed)