Akershus Energi Varme & SWEP make district energy systems more reliable and efficient

The customer: Akershus Energi Varme, a Norweigian company with nearly a century of experience producing renewable energy.

The challenge: Reduce the risk of leakage and need for heat exchanger maintenance, while increasing energy efficiency and lowering costs.

The solution: Replace aging, gasketed heat exchangers with robust, compact, SWEP brazed plate heat exchangers.

The heat exchangers: In this case, SWEP installed three high-capacity B649 BPHEs in the system.

The results: Improved energy efficiency, lower operating costs, and a smaller environmental footprint.

Designed for the demands of district heating

In 2024-2025, Akershus Energi Varme replaced three large gasketed plate heat exchangers with compact, high-capacity SWEP B649 brazed plate heat exchangers (BPHEs) – a strategic upgrade that significantly improved the company’s district heating infrastructure. The brazed construction of the B649 units eliminates the need for gaskets, reducing maintenance costs and lowering the risk of leaks. The high efficiency of the BPHE design also ensures that a greater proportion of the material is dedicated to heat transfer, resulting in improved energy efficiency. This efficiency translates into lower operating costs and a reduced environmental footprint, aligning with Akershus Energi’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions.

Why choose SWEP

The compact design of the B649, compared to traditional gasketed plate heat exchangers, allows for easy installation and improved flexibility in the system design. The implementation of the new SWEP B649 units into Akershus Energi’s district energy system was facilitated by HeatCon Varmeteknikk, an authorized SWEP dealer in Norway. HeatCon played a pivotal role in the procurement and installation process, ensuring that the transition was seamless and the new heat exchangers were optimally integrated into the existing system. Their expertise and support were instrumental in realizing the project’s objectives.

More about Akershus Energi Varme

Akershus Energi began as a hydropower producer – generating clean, renewable energy from moving water. Today, in addition to hydropower, Akershus Energi has expanded their operations to include a wide range of renewable energy sources, including bioenergy, district heating, district cooling, solar, wind and hydrogen.

Building on a century of experience and expertise, Akershus Energi is continuing its expansion within the renewable energy landscape. Their subsidiary, Akershus Energi Varme, was established in 2005. Today, it powers five district heating networks and one district cooling network and provides vital products and infrastructure.