As part of the United Nations Environment Programme’s District Energy in Cities Initiative, Optit was selected as ENOVA’s technical partner for a high-impact pre-feasibility study: the interconnection of Belgrade‘s district heating networks with the aim of optimising the system and increasing its sustainability by integrating new waste heat sources.
The project, carried out in collaboration with Beogradske Elektrane and the University of Belgrade, was designed to enhance the recovery of excess heat from production plants outside the city and of harnessing the energy produced by a new waste-to-energy plant, redesigning the distribution system around newly designated regions.
To achieve this, Optit deployed its OptiDEN platform, simulating over 100 potential interconnection scenarios. The model accounted for both the technical and economic constraints, providing a detailed assessment of the necessary investments and potential efficiency gains.
The result? An in-depth, clear and decision-oriented analysis which enabled:
- the identification of the most advantageous solutions in relation to both economic and environmental return;
- the reduction of CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) estimated at several million euros;
- the showcasing of a real use case for Digital Twin in advancing urban energy policies.
