ZhongNeng

What ZhongNeng does

ZhongNeng is a Chinese district heating automation and equipment company founded in 1998 and headquartered in the Harbin Economic and Technological Development Zone. It is a mixed-ownership high-tech enterprise controlled by state-owned Harbin Investment Group, and listed on China's New Third Board (NEEQ) under stock code 832972 since 2015. The company sells integrated smart heating solutions to municipal heating utilities, property management firms, and engineering design institutes across China's Three North (Northeast, North, Northwest) and East China regions.

The company's core technology stack is a three-layer smart heating system: edge IoT devices (intelligent TSV valves with V-ball cores, temperature sensors, DTU/RTU units, plate heat exchangers); the Nuanhu thermal cloud service platform (NB-IoT/4G-connected, supporting millions of endpoints); and application software including the iZN-HCS SCADA-based monitoring system, ZN-HAC hydraulic balance calculation software, and an AI-based secondary network balancing system. ZhongNeng holds approximately 100 patents and software copyrights, maintains a provincial enterprise technology center with 60+ R&D researchers, and holds CMMI Level 3 software certification.

ZhongNeng generates revenue primarily from project-based hardware sales of integrated smart heating systems, supplemented by perpetual software licenses for ZN-HAC and recurring technical services, training, and consulting. GTM is enterprise field sales through a dedicated Marketing Center, supported by regional industry events (notably ISH China), technical training workshops for customer staff, and direct enterprise engagement with long sales cycles. Named enterprise customers include Huaneng Central Heating, Wusu Dingsheng Thermal Power (610万m² heating area), and Daoli Property Management (970万m², ~110,000 users).

Name

ZhongNeng

Legal name

黑龙江省中能控制工程股份有限公司

Website

http://www.znchina.cn/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ZhongNeng is a Chinese district heating automation company founded in 1998 and controlled by state-owned Harbin Investment Group. It sells IoT-enabled smart heating systems—including valves, heat exchangers, the Nuanhu cloud platform, and AI-based balancing software—to municipal heating utilities and property managers across northern China.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Smart Heating Systems & Equipment

NAICS

Power Boiler and Heat Exchanger Manufacturing (33241), Heating Equipment (except Warm Air Furnaces) Manufacturing (333414), Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use (334512), Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (3334)

SIC

Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585), Heating Equipment, Except Electric & Warm Air Furnaces (3433), Heating Equip, Except Elec & Warm Air; & Plumbing Fixtures (3430)

akta.pro primary industry

Heat Exchangers & Thermal Transfer Equipment (IMAHAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

District Energy & CHP-Based Microgrids (Thermal Networks + Power) (EUACALAL), Heat Exchangers, Coils & Hydronic HVAC Components (IMADANAF), Smart Thermostat & HVAC Automation Integration (HSAHADAC)

Keywords

• District heating solutions
• Smart heating automation
• Plate heat exchangers
• IoT thermal valves
• Hydraulic balancing software

Headquarters

HQ city

Harbin

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Smart Heating System Solutions & Equipment Sales: ZhongNeng generates revenue primarily from selling integrated smart heating system solutions and related hardware products to urban heating utilities. This includes plate heat exchangers, smart heat exchange units, IoT-based intelligent valves and sensors, distributed control systems (DCS), and intelligent thermal network monitoring software. Solutions are typically sold as full-system deployments (智慧供热整体解决方案) to heating companies and property management enterprises, with project-based pricing tied to scope, heating area managed, and customization requirements. Hardware products (valves, sensors, heat exchangers) generate recurring revenue through replacement and expansion purchases.
2. ZN-HAC Software License & Subscription: ZhongNeng sells commercial licenses for the ZN-HAC Hydraulic Balance Calculation Analysis Software. The software is available via a dedicated sales process (QR code scanning for software application). Software licensing provides a recurring revenue stream from maintenance, updates, and premium support services for municipal heating utilities and engineering design institutes.
3. Technical Services, Training & Consulting: ZhongNeng provides technical training services, engineering consulting, and system evaluation services to heating utilities. Revenue is generated through paid training programs (e.g., technical training for Huaneng Central Heating with ~300 participants), system evaluation/assessment projects (e.g., evaluating and optimizing heat exchange stations, pump selection), and ongoing technical consulting contracts with heating enterprise customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ZhongNeng designs, manufactures, and integrates full-stack smart heating system solutions for China's district heating utilities. Its core offerings include IoT-based intelligent control valves (TSV series), intelligent plate heat exchange units (DHE series), and plate heat exchangers at the hardware layer; the Nuanhu cloud service platform, iZN-HCS intelligent thermal network monitoring software, and ZN-HAC hydraulic balance calculation analysis software at the software layer; and integrated secondary network balancing systems and distributed control systems for thermal stations at the solution layer. These products are sold primarily to urban heating utilities and property management companies across China's Three North and East China regions.

Product overview

ZhongNeng offers a comprehensive smart heating solutions portfolio comprising three main layers: (1) Hardware Products: plate heat exchangers, DHE series intelligent heat exchange units, TSV series intelligent regulation valves, room temperature collectors, and intelligent DTU devices; (2) Software Platforms: iZN-HCS intelligent thermal network monitoring software, ZN-HAC hydraulic balance calculation analysis software, and Nuanhu thermal cloud service platform; (3) System Solutions: secondary network balance system and distributed control systems for thermal stations. The products are integrated through IoT technology and cloud computing, enabling end-to-end heating network management from heat source to end users.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 中能暖虎ZN-HAC: Thermal network hydraulic balance calculation and analysis software developed by ZhongNeng for annular pipe network hydraulic and thermal condition simulation.
• 暖虎热力云服务平台
• TSV系列智能调节阀
• DHE系列智能换热机组
• iZN-HCS智能热网监控软件

Products and services

• Nuanhu Smart Heating Cloud Service Platform (暖虎热力云服务平台) Cloud-based IoT platform providing comprehensive smart heating management services, including account management, secondary network monitoring, heating quality evaluation, equipment management, and mobile app support for WIFI, Bluetooth, and QR code operations. Supports NB-IoT and 4G communication for massive IoT device connectivity. Features AI-based automatic balancing control for secondary networks.
• iZN-HCS Intelligent Thermal Network Monitoring Software (iZN-HCS智能热网监控软件) Comprehensive SCADA system for district heating networks, covering geographic information (GIS), full-network monitoring, production scheduling, load forecasting, and process flow visualization. Supports multi-heat-source ring network monitoring and early-warning for valve opening, temperature, pressure, and communication anomalies.
• ZN-HAC Hydraulic Balance Calculation Analysis Software (热力管网水力平衡计算分析软件) Cloud-computing-based professional software for hydraulic and thermal condition simulation of district heating networks. Supports single/multi-heat-source, tree/ring network topologies. Performs design calculations, expansion engineering planning, operational regulation strategy optimization, and pump selection/evaluation for primary and secondary networks.
• TSV Series Intelligent Control Valves (TSV系列智能调节阀) IoT-enabled V-ball type intelligent control valves for primary/secondary network balance regulation. Features V-ball core design with equal-percentage flow characteristics, leakage rate <0.01% Kvs, adjustable ratio up to 200:1, built-in AI detection-actuation. Available in DN15-DN150 sizes with SCR intelligent actuators.
• DHE Series Intelligent Plate Heat Exchange Units (DHE系列智能板式换热机组) Smart plate heat exchange units (DHE100/DHE111 series) with integrated controls. The DHE100 was independently developed by ZhongNeng in 2000 and received provincial new product certification. DHE111 is a high-efficiency energy-saving model. Units feature optimized flow design and intelligent control integration.
• Plate Heat Exchangers (板式换热器) Plate heat exchangers including asymmetric flow channel plate development, asymmetric flow channel plate heat exchangers, and large-scale plate heat exchangers. Designed with CFD simulation and stress analysis for optimal thermal efficiency. National plate heat exchanger product safety registration certificate obtained in 2007.
• Distributed Control System (分布式控制系统) Distributed control system for power stations and thermal stations, featuring intelligent control boxes and cabinets for automated monitoring and control of heating infrastructure.
• Room Temperature Collectors (室温采集器) IoT-based room temperature measurement instruments for collecting and transmitting indoor temperature data from heating users to enable differential heating and quality monitoring.
• Intelligent DTU (智能DTU) Data transfer unit for IoT communication enabling data transmission between field equipment and cloud platform, supporting various communication protocols for smart heating systems.
• Secondary Network Balancing System (二级网平衡系统) IoT and cloud-based secondary network monitoring and balance regulation system. Includes room temperature collectors, unit intelligent regulation valves, intelligent DTU devices, and intelligent regulation valve management platform with mobile app. Uses AI-driven autonomous balancing with return water temperature consistency method achieving 0.5-0.8°C return water temperature deviation control.
• Heating Production Scheduling System (供热生产调度系统) Cloud-based production scheduling system for heating operations, enabling coordinated management of heat sources, networks, and end-user distribution.
• Heating Equipment Management System (供热设备管理系统) Cloud-based equipment management system for heating infrastructure, enabling centralized monitoring, maintenance scheduling, and lifecycle management of heat exchange stations, valves, and sensors.
• Thermal Station Monitoring System (热力站监控系统) Cloud-based monitoring system for thermal stations, providing real-time visibility of station operations, equipment status, and performance metrics.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8.2% heat consumption reduction, 39.6% heat exchange station electricity reduction, 50.7% pressure station electricity reduction — Wusu Dingsheng Heating Company 2017-2018 season after smart heating renovation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.

• 德勤 & 华润大学 (Deloitte & China Resources University)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2020ZhongNeng participated in and was recognized by the North China Innovation Acceleration Camp co-organized by Deloitte China and China Resources University. Through this program, ZhongNeng successfully connected with China Resources Power (华润电力) for potential deep cooperation. The program provided ZhongNeng with access to Deloitte's innovation ecosystem network, top technology enterprise connections, specialized curriculum training, precise industry matching, project roadshows, expert sharing, seminars, and enterprise visits.
• 华润电力 (China Resources Power)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Following the North China Innovation Acceleration Camp, ZhongNeng successfully connected with China Resources Power (华润电力) and entered into deep cooperation discussions. China Resources Power is a major state-owned power and heating enterprise, making this a strategically important potential partnership for ZhongNeng to expand its customer base into large state-owned energy groups.
• 哈尔滨工程大学 (Harbin Engineering University)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017ZhongNeng established strategic cooperation with Harbin Engineering University for in-depth industry-academia-research collaboration. The partnership focuses on joint technology development and talent cultivation in the heating automation and IoT domains. This is part of ZhongNeng's broader effort to integrate academic research capabilities with industrial application needs.
• 哈尔滨商业大学 (Harbin University of Commerce)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017ZhongNeng conducts deep industry-academia-research cooperation with Harbin University of Commerce. The collaboration aims to leverage academic research resources to advance innovation in smart heating technologies. This partnership complements the Harbin Engineering University relationship and extends the company's academic network within Heilongjiang province.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Johnson Controls: Global leader in building automation, HVAC equipment, and energy efficiency with the Metasys and OpenBlue platforms. Competes with ZhongNeng in district- and commercial-heating automation, particularly for large enterprise and municipal customers.
• Honeywell: Global building-automation and HVAC-controls major with the Niagara/Forge portfolio. Provides district-heating and building-energy solutions to large commercial and municipal customers worldwide, including in China, overlapping with ZhongNeng's SCADA and IoT monitoring offerings.
• Siemens: Global industrial conglomerate with a Building Products and Smart Infrastructure division covering HVAC automation, district energy, and building IoT. Competes with ZhongNeng at the high end of Chinese district-heating tenders where Siemens' Desigo platform overlaps with iZN-HCS.
• ABB: Global electrification, motion, and process-automation major with a building-automation portfolio serving district energy and industrial customers. Overlaps with ZhongNeng's DCS and SCADA offerings, particularly for combined-heat-and-power and district-heating operators.
• Midea Group (美的集团): Chinese HVAC and home-appliance giant that has expanded into commercial HVAC, smart building, and IoT-enabled energy management via Midea i+ and related subsidiaries. Competes with ZhongNeng in IoT-enabled HVAC controls, particularly in commercial and light-industrial applications in China.
• Gree Electric Appliances (格力电器): Leading Chinese HVAC manufacturer with commercial and industrial product lines. Adjacent to ZhongNeng in commercial HVAC equipment and increasingly in smart-HVAC controls, with a strong Chinese sales channel that could overlap on larger district-heating accounts.
• Haier Smart Home (海尔智家): Chinese smart-home and HVAC major with a growing commercial-HVAC and building-energy business. Adjacent competitor to ZhongNeng in IoT-enabled HVAC control and home/building energy optimization, especially as Haier expands its commercial-HVAC channel in China.

Direct peers

• Tongfang Technova (同方泰德): Hong Kong-listed Chinese smart-energy and building-automation company providing district-heating, building-energy-management, and energy-saving solutions to Chinese municipalities and property developers. Most directly comparable to ZhongNeng by geography, customer base (Chinese heating utilities), and product scope (hardware + software + IoT).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ZhongNeng