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Challenge

Shaping the Future of District Heating

Shaping the Future of District Heating

How to manage short-term consumption peaks using available technological innovations?
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Coming soon

The enrollment period opens soon for this learning opportunity

Our challenge

In the rapidly evolving world of energy and district heating, managing short-term consumption peaks remains a significant challenge. Vilniaus Šilumos Tinklai, a leader in the industry, is spearheading this challenge to drive efficiency and sustainability. Your task is to tackle the real-world problem of optimizing peak hot water consumption, which is crucial for enhancing operational stability. Vilniaus Šilumos Tinklai is seeking innovative and practical solutions to effectively manage and minimize the impact of hot water consumption peaks. This could involve developing new technologies, implementing smart systems, or even devising creative non-technical strategies. Your goal is to find actionable ways to smooth out these peaks to enhance the stability and efficiency of our heating services. Your ideas have the potential to improve industry practices and contribute to more sustainable energy consumption patterns. Engage directly with a challenge that affects the efficiency of energy systems worldwide. Enhance your problem-solving, creativity, and technical skills in a real-world context. Embrace this opportunity to make a tangible impact on the energy sector with your innovative solutions. Let's work together to transform challenges into opportunities and pave the way for a more efficient future.

The Team

BU
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Benas Gabrielis Urbonavičius
Teamcher
IS
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Inga Stasiulaitienė
Teamcher
0 learners
Study format
Online
Application period
23 December 2024 – 16 February 2025
Study period
6 March – 29 May 2025
Credits
6 ECTS
Pace
0%
Hosting university
Kaunas University of Technology
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Learning outcomes

Create and present ideas and prototypes

Create and effectively present innovative ideas and developed prototypes tailored to the requirements of unique audience.

ESCO SKILLS

Pinpoint research direction

Self-sufficiently pinpoint a unique and impactful research direction, utilizing existing knowledge and acquired competencies.

ESCO SKILLS

Tackle real-world issues

Innovatively tackle complex real-world issues using the core tenets of challenge-based learning methodology.

ESCO SKILLS

Utilise teamwork and leadership principles

Utilise effective teamwork and leadership principles while collaborating within diverse, interdisciplinary teams.

ESCO SKILLS

Potential progress

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Information

“Vilniaus šilumos tinklai” is one of the largest district heating companies in the Baltic States. The company’s customers are the residents of Vilnius, and every day, services are provided to nearly 220,000 Vilnius clients, heating almost 7,500 buildings. We not only provide heat to the city’s residents but also heat for hot tap water. The consumption of hot water during the day has its peaks and managing them is crucial whole year. A sudden increase in hot water usage places a heavy load on the production chain, which also needs to maintain the temperature required for heating. While managing this is a technical necessity, it also impacts customer satisfaction, energy efficiency, and the broader goals of sustainability.

What possible solutions, using technologies or other means, could help manage consumption peaks and minimize their impact?

We aim to discover innovative, actionable solutions to manage hot water consumption peaks more effectively and minimize their impact on our production chain. These solutions may include technological innovations, smart systems, or creative non-technical approaches.

The energy sector is a field where technological advancement and innovation intersect with sustainability and purpose. The solutions implemented in the sector not only affect companies as economic entities but also have a significant impact on customers satisfaction and the overall goal of sustainability and a cleaner world.

This is more than just a challenge—it’s a chance to solve a real-world problem for one of the largest district heating companies in the Baltic States. By participating, you’ll gain valuable experience in tackling complex issues, working with industry-relevant scenarios, and contributing to meaningful solutions that can shape the future of energy management.

Hosting university

Kaunas University of Technology

Kaunas University of Technology

Challenge provider

Vilniaus šilumos tinklai