Danish quality & design since 1921
A new exchange station in Holstebro shows how time constraints, aesthetics and storytelling can come together seamlessly when expanding the district heating network. The contractor, Vestforsyning, is a utility company that provides district heating to the Holstebro area. Priess District Heating, a specialist in pump and meter stations for district heating, provided the plug-and-play solution.
Thanks to the new Hjermvej/Søndergård exchange station, Vestforsyning Varme A/S is now able to deliver more sustainable heating to two new areas in northern Holstebro. The station comprises two exchange stations, each with a capacity of 10 MW, and an associated hydrophore system. The station supplies district heating to the residential neighbourhoods and local industrial area, equivalent to 3,000 households.
The expansion of district heating in northern Holstebro had been in the planning stages for some time, aimed at converting the energy supply of various industrial enterprises and residential properties from gas to district heating.
The energy crisis triggered by the outbreak of war in Ukraine expedited these plans, creating an urgent need for swift project implementation while maintaining high standards in both technical solutions and aesthetic considerations.
“The expansion of district heating needed to progress rapidly to ensure affordable energy for industry and facilitate the transition from gas to district heating,” says Per Bergkvist, Head of the Heating Department at Vestforsyning A/S.
“We worked with an architectural firm to design a more inviting tech house, but without allowing the architectural requirements to delay the project’s tight schedule”.
“Our aim was to design an exchange station that would spark citizens’ curiosity and increase awareness of district heating,” concludes Per Bergkvist.
It quickly became evident that constructing a traditional walled tech house would slow down the project. Drawing on past successful collaborations with Priess District Heating A/S, which had previously supplied solutions for Vestforsyning, prefabricated houses were chosen. Priess worked closely with Vestforsyning’s project department and the architectural firm A2 to design these houses. The result is an aesthetically striking solution, featuring an open facade that reveals the inner workings. The tech houses are clad in corten steel, giving them a distinctive rust-red finish.
The project gained significant momentum in February 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Work commenced that autumn, with the station set to be operational by the end of 2023. Piping work started in the spring of 2023, and by December 2023, the tech houses were installed—on time and ready for operation. However, delays in excavating the district heating network meant that the plant was only brought online in March 2024.
Both exchange stations were delivered as fully assembled plug-and-play solutions from Priess District Heating’s factory in Herning. They were transported on a block wagon and placed on a foundation of eight poles, each screwed 6-8 meters into the ground.
For Vestforsyning, using screw foundations was a new approach,but it provided excellent flexibility and precision during the installation of the district heating pipes. The pipes had already been prepared and only required connection to the existing installations in the structures. Vestforsyning’s own employees completed the electrical installation work.
Priess’s tech houses are founded on a standardised solution that streamlines production while customising the final installation for each client—in this instance, Vestforsyning. This collaboration has provided an educational experience for all parties involved.
“We can see that our concept of constructing tech houses using a standardised solution is effective, even when architects and the client push the concept to its limits,” says Lars Ehlern Bech, Product Manager at Priess District Heating. He adds:
“Our tech houses were delivered right on schedule and well within the agreed quality standards. This success is largely due to our strong, trusting partnership with Vestforsyning”.
The third and northernmost building, which will serve the Søndergård district, is scheduled to be delivered by Priess in early 2025, marking the completion of the project.
Priess used a virtual reality program to design the two exchange stations, enabling users to take a virtual tour of the rooms with 3D glasses.
“We were able to walk through the houses virtually during the construction phase. It was incredibly useful. It allowed us to identify early on whether there was sufficient space for the various installations,” explain Per Bergkvist and Nicolaj Thomsen.
A key factor driving the project was the aim to enhance both heat output and sustainability. The heat is generated from waste, wood chips, straw and biogas, supplied from the Måbjergværket plant which is located 1.5 km from the Hjermvej/Søndergård station.
With a capacity of 2 x 10 MW, the station supplies heat to the Hjermvej and Søndergård areas. The 85°C water is converted into 67°C hot water, which is then distributed to consumers. The hydrophore system maintains constant pressure across the network. The plant provides heat for the equivalent of 3,000 households.
“We recognise that the energy crisis has presented an opportunity to accelerate our expansion, allowing us to provide citizens and businesses with a more sustainable alternative,” Per Bergkvist, Head of the Heating Department at Vestforsyning A/S sums up, concluding:
“The team at Priess played a crucial role by offering valuable insights throughout the process, leveraging their extensive expertise in district heating. We are all delighted to have reached this milestone”.
