The EIHP team has coordinated the completion activities of the REHEATEAST pilot project with the Energo Rijeka as the principal project partner. This pilot has focused on the district heating supply of the Podmurvice neighbourhood, aiming to determine the cause of heat losses which were still high after the refurbishing, and to implement the advanced technical measures. The new efficient monitoring, data transmitting, control and regulation system is installed, enabling heat supply surveillance in real time and selecting the most effective improvement activities. The initial meterings have already confirmed the improvements. Compared with previous periods, the achievable max. reduction of up to 25% of present level of heat losses is estimated.
This pilot project focuses on five interconnected buildings in the Podmurvice neighbourhood of Rijeka, which rely on two gas boilers for winter space heating. Despite a renovated district heating (DH) network, the system still experiences extremely high heat losses of 35–40%. The project aims to reduce these losses by digitalising the system and improving operational efficiency.
Key measures include deploying software for hydraulic analysis of the network, installing remote monitoring on four substations, adding remote control on one substation, and equipping three substations with automated control valves for dynamic regulation.
The system that is installed - in the frame of this pilot project - now enables real‑time supervision of boiler operation, providing info on key parameters - temperatures, pressures, flow rates, and others. Consequently, the operators can promptly adjust and optimize the system performance.
Although the equipment operation is covering only a short period, initial measurements already confirm improvements. Compared with 2024 and 2025, data for 2026 show reduced heat losses, with estimated achievable max. reduction of up to 25%.
Energo Rijeka is the DH operator, ASP and project implementing company. Other key stakeholders include designers, equipment suppliers, the City of Rijeka, and users of the Podmurvice buildings.
The principal project aims were energy savings and the creation of a scalable model for other DH systems.
Key activities performed by EIHP, with support from ASP:
- analysis of the present situation and development of the concept,
- support and collaboration with ASP (Energo) in implementation, procurement procedure, and other related technical, fiscal and organizational matters,
- site inspections, stakeholder communication and reporting.
