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This underground heating system is ingeniously simple yet effective. During the summer, when heating needs are lower, the power plant generates excess hot water, which is then stored in the caves. When the cold snaps arrive, the stored heat can be released back into the district heating network, ensuring that Västerås residents remain warm without the need to activate additional fossil fuel plants.
The caves can hold enough energy to keep the city warm for up to two weeks, mitigating peak demand challenges during frigid weather. The entire project, costing approximately 15.5 million USD, is projected to pay for itself within a decade by reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions significantly.