Moscow's Smart Heating System Beats Winter with AI-Powered Automation
Moscow's city officials have fine-tuned the capital's heating system as temperatures begin to fall. The adjustments come ahead of schedule, guided by short-term weather forecasts to keep homes warm. Automated controls now handle most changes without manual intervention.
The city's heating network relies on a centralised system that adapts based on outdoor conditions. When cold snaps arrive, the temperature and flow of the heat carrier—hot water circulating through pipes—are increased to maintain indoor warmth. These tweaks happen automatically through the dispatch services of Moscow United Energy Company (MOEK).
Over the past five years, the system has undergone major upgrades. Smart digital controls and a shift toward biomass fuels have boosted efficiency by 20%. This places Moscow ahead of other major cities like Berlin, where decentralised heat pumps gained only 15% efficiency but strained local grids. Beijing's move from coal to gas cut emissions by 25%, yet its system faced repeated winter failures. Tokyo's high-tech microgrids achieved 30% efficiency but at a much higher cost.
During the harsh winters of 2024 and 2025, Moscow's network proved its reliability. While other cities experienced outages, the capital's heating remained uninterrupted.
The latest adjustments ensure the system runs smoothly as autumn sets in. With automated controls and improved efficiency, the network is now better prepared for sudden cold spells. Residents can expect consistent heating even if temperatures drop further.
