Okun Energia and Valmet optimise data centre waste heat and bioenergy for district heating in Finland

Valmet will deliver an advanced district heating optimisation solution to Okun Energia Oy for the Miilu heat plant area in Outokumpu. The project will improve energy efficiency, optimise data centre waste heat recovery, and reduce biofuel consumption across the district heating network serving approximately 6,000 residents in Eastern Finland.

The new system will provide automated, operator-independent control of district heating production and network operations. The solution is designed to enhance energy management, lower operational costs, and improve the reliability and sustainability of heating services throughout the municipality.

Data Centre Waste Heat Reduces Biofuel Consumption

Okun Energia’s district heating network spans approximately 30 kilometres and supplies heat to buildings with a combined volume exceeding one million cubic metres. The network primarily utilises waste heat generated by a local data centre alongside two fluidised bed boilers powered by locally sourced bioenergy.

The data centre continuously produces 3.7 MW of waste heat, enabling Okun Energia to reduce annual biofuel consumption by up to 50 per cent. The company’s total heating capacity is 55 MW, highlighting the growing role of waste heat recovery and renewable energy integration in Finland’s district heating sector.

District heating remains one of Finland’s most widely used heating methods. Around 2.7 million Finns live in buildings connected to district heating systems, representing nearly 50 per cent of the national heating market. In Finland’s largest cities, district heating coverage exceeds 90 per cent.

Valmet DNA District Heating Manager to Improve Efficiency

The delivery includes the Valmet DNA District Heating Manager, part of Valmet’s digital solutions portfolio for the energy and process industries. The system enables predictive supply temperature optimisation and coordinated network pressure minimisation to improve overall operational performance.

The optimisation platform helps balance heat production and consumption while reducing heat losses, fuel usage, and pumping costs. It also supports more economical and sustainable district heating network operations.

According to Nuutti Hakkarainen, the company selected Valmet based on its experience with similar district heating optimisation projects.

“District heating is a reliable, secure, and easy-to-use form of heating, and we want to ensure the best possible service for our customers. We believe that Valmet’s solution will help us further improve efficiency, optimise our operations, and maintain a high level of performance across our district heating network.”

Teijo Salonpää said the project demonstrates how digital energy solutions can help utilities of all sizes improve operational efficiency and reduce costs.

“This project is another strong example of how digital solutions create added value in energy production throughout the entire life cycle, from smaller installations to large-scale facilities.”

The project highlights the increasing importance of smart district heating optimisation, industrial waste heat utilisation, and bioenergy integration in achieving more sustainable and cost-efficient energy systems in Finland and across Europe.