Soojusjaamad

Soojusjaamad are facilities within district heating systems that generate thermal energy to supply hot water and space heating to multiple buildings through an insulated network of pipes. They may operate as heat-only plants or as combined heat and power (CHP) plants that produce both electricity and heat. In many systems, the primary objective is to deliver reliable heat to residential, commercial, and public buildings, with temperature-regulated return flows to optimize efficiency.

Most soojusjaamad use boilers powered by natural gas, oil, coal, or biomass, though modern networks increasingly incorporate renewable energy sources, waste heat from industrial processes, or heat pumps. CHP configurations improve overall efficiency by capturing waste heat from electricity production. Some facilities are designed to meet seasonal demand, employing peak-load boilers or storage to handle cold periods.

Soojusjaamad are typically located to balance supply and demand, often near areas with high heat density or close to industrial sites. They connect to district heating networks, where heat is transferred via pipelines to substations that provide space heating and domestic hot water to individual buildings.

Environmental and economic considerations include fuel choice, emissions controls, and the cost of network infrastructure versus on-site heating alternatives. The performance of a soojusjaam depends on production efficiency, network losses, and regulatory framework, making it a central element of many urban energy systems.