Valid for: 2026/27
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering LTH
Decided by: PLED M
Date of Decision: 2026-03-26
Depth of study relative to the degree requirements: Second cycle, in-depth level of the course cannot be classified
Elective for: E4-em, F4, I4, M4-en, MHET2, W4-es
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English
The aim of the course is to introduce and later deepen insights within the subject of district heating and cooling, henceforth abbreviated as (dhdc). Recent events show that energy supply and energy flexibility is of great importance, of which dhdc could be a major enabler. The ambition is to show the multifaceted challenges linked to: energy market, energy supply and environmental impact and its connection to dhdc. As well as to provide the students with understanding of different engineering roles within a district heating and cooling company. The roles provided will be: Business developer, Production manager and District heating engineer. The students will try out these roles in various assignments and learn different: perspectives, skill sets and get introduced with what it is like to work as an engineer in the energy industry. As this is a advanced course, it is of great importance that the students gets to apply previously obtained knowledge in problem solving, to prepare and practise the craft of being an engineer. Therefore, as the student should be able to be more or less independent, the core of this course is based on self-studies.
Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must
Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must
Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must
The course contains: lectures, seminars, three tests and a written exam.
Introduction and the fundamental idea of district heating and cooling.
The attributes and characteristics assigned to district heating and cooling: economy-of scope, economy-of-size, flexibility, environmental impacts and customer relations.
Supply/distribution:
Security and malfunction, temperature, pressure, substation (heat exchangers, pumps, heat meter, difference in space heating and tap water, control valves, sensors, control unit), pipes (construction, components, placements, welding, isolation, types, function), dimension, flow, leaks and common components.
Production: Common fuels/production types, waste heat, combined heat and power, ”production portfolios”, connections to other district heating and cooling-grids, transfer, scale, heat demand, system density, accumulators, organisation.
Usage
House/apartment heat loads, internal distribution, radiators, hot water circulation, comfort, indoor temperature, floor heating, hot water usage, appliances, temperature, bacteria Legionella.
District heating and cooling development in Sweden and its future progress
Lower temperatures (future district heating and cooling generations), cheaper distribution, longer transfers, connection/in relation to increasing electricity use, electrifying transport, climate change (both heat demand changes and environmental aspects), fuel prices, carbon-capture, waste management, nuclear, heat flexibility/storage and digitalization.
Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5) - (Fail, Three, Four, Five)
Assessment:
Grading scale: TH - (U,3,4,5) - (Fail, Three, Four, Five) Assessment: Two parts, the student assessment will be a written examination and three knowledge tests, “duggor,” multiple choice questions that assess knowledge related to district heating and district cooling. Three mandatory seminars.
The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.
The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.
Modules
Code: 0119. Name: District Heating and Cooling - Written Exam.
Credits: 7.5. Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5).
Assessment: The examination is based on individual as well as on group work. For the grade 3, it is required that all the compulsory assignments (in group), seminars and multiple choice tests of the course have been completed (individually) with an approved grade on the performance. For higher grades, an individual written exam is required.
The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.
Admission requirements:
Course coordinator: Axel Johansson,
axel.johansson@energy.lth.se
Course administrator: Andrea Frydenlund,
andrea.frydenlund@energy.lth.se
Course homepage: https://www.energy.lth.se/education