these designs tends to hinder interoperability with third-party solutions, as they often employ proprietary data standards and storage methods, resulting in a state of vendor lock-in. Breaking free from vendor lock-in is crucial to fostering collaboration and enabling solutions from various vendors to work together seamlessly. Danfoss recognizes this imperative and is actively developing a modular-based offering through the Leanheat™ platform. However, the journey doesn’t stop there. Localized DHC systems often necessitate tailor-made add-ons to meet unique needs. Therefore, the goal is to create an ecosystem where diverse modules addressing specific local requirements seamlessly integrate into the broader Leanheat™ platform, promoting adaptability and scalability in DHC digitalization. By enabling integration with third-party solutions, a flexible yet tailormade solution can be offered to DHC utilities. By advancing towards modular, interoperable solutions, we pave the way for a more collaborative and future-proof DHC landscape, where innovation thrives, and local needs are met through a harmonized digital framework.
energy sources, building standards, building utilization, and substation designs. Further, existing systems can be decades old and at varying modernization stages. On top of that, most systems are locally operated under the direction of the local government or community. All these factors lead to a complex and fragmented market. Digitalization solution providers need to recognize and accept that while the fundamental purpose of all DHC systems is the same - to fulfill heating or cooling demands - they have different needs. The obvious solution is a modular approach, where the key elements of the supply system are addressed in specific modules, which can be linked to unlock optimization potential across the supply chain. Challenge Lack of standards for DHC The challenge revolves around the absence of standards in the digitalization of DHC. This comes from the fact that the sector has historically been decentralized, often initiated by enthusiastic local champions. While the local nature of DHC is a source of strength, it introduces the risk of ad- hoc, non-standardized solutions, including applied units, data communication standards, and local terminology for components. Recognizing the pivotal role of standardized vocabulary and data protocols in accelerating digitalization within DHC, the sector has established a digitalization standardization group within the DHC+ research platform, an initiative strongly supported by Danfoss. In this pursuit, the importance of data semantics and ontology cannot be overstated. The semantic understanding of data ensures that information is not only standardized in format but also in meaning. Establishing a shared ontology enables a common understanding of terms and relationships, facilitating interoperability and consistent interpretation of data across diverse systems. This semantic clarity is essential for overcoming the sector’s fragmented history challenges. To bolster this initiative, Danfoss is actively supporting the sector. Until a standardized protocol is established, the focus is on providing robust support, including features like automatic unit conversion, which is crucial for averting data errors. Challenge Vendor lock-in and interoperability The historical fragmentation and absence of standardized digitalization practices in DHC have led to the prevalence of “built-to-order” solutions. Unfortunately, the localized nature of
Challenge
Need for robust and resilient control architectures
DHC is a robust, reliable, and resilient energy infrastructure, a fact extensively discussed in [2]. As the sector embraces digitalization, it is crucial that these features are maintained by developing solutions resilient against risks posed by cyberwarfare, cyberterrorism, and cybercriminal activities. To mitigate risks, it is imperative that digital solutions are not only built on robust and resilient architectures but also incorporate fallback options to address worst-case scenarios. At Danfoss, our approach to developing solutions is rooted in decades of experience and knowledge garnered through active involvement in the DHC sector. Leveraging the extensive knowledge of components, applications, and the overall supply system, we are uniquely positioned to design control infrastructures with resilience and local fallback redundancy at their core. By prioritizing the development of digital solutions that anticipate and address potential threats, we contribute to ensuring the continued dependability and resilience of DHC systems in the face of an evolving digital landscape. Software solutions with robust and resilient control architectures, in combination with on-site controllers, offer a comprehensive range of functionalities, including monitoring, setting management, and optimization solutions. When
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