Germany’s largest air-water heat pump goes into operation

The article Germany’s largest air-water heat pump goes into operation first appeared in the online magazine BASIC thinking. With our newsletter UPDATE you can start the day well informed every morning.

Heat pump CO2

The largest air-water heat pump in Germany has gone into operation in North Rhine-Westphalia. An AI is supposed to control the system efficiently and ensure that 6,000 tons of CO2 are saved per year.

GETEC and the SMS Group have one of the largest in Hilchenbach Air-water heat pump systems Germany put into operation. In the future, this power-to-heat system will supply 50,000 square meters of halls, offices and the SMS Group canteen with climate-friendly heat.

The company wants to completely avoid fossil fuels. By using the system, the SMS Group saves around 6,000 tons of CO2 annually. The company runs exclusively on electricity from renewable sources. An AI should control the system’s systems and enable high efficiency.

The largest air-water heat pump in Germany

The system combines several high-tech components into an integrated heating solution. Four large air-water heat pumps with an output of three megawatts extract thermal energy from the ambient air, which is supposed to work even in sub-zero temperatures.

The system temporarily stores the energy generated in a source storage tank before water-water heat pumps with four megawatts heat the system to up to 85 degrees Celsius.

To guarantee heat availability even during peak demand, there is a 2,000 cubic meter buffer storage system. Intelligent control plays a major role in this. An AI-supported forecast model adapts operations depending on the weather and load. This is how the system runs when electricity is particularly cheap and sustainable.

The system brings great advantages even in winter

When temperatures are particularly low, an electric boiler with an output of four megawatts comes into play, which also heats the water purely electrically to up to 95 degrees Celsius. The power-to-heat system also stabilizes the power grid by storing excess green electricity in the form of heat.

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The project was funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). Because of its modular design, the operator can easily expand the system with additional regenerative system components in the future.

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As a Tech Industry expert, I am thrilled to see Germany’s largest air-water heat pump go into operation. This is a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and transition towards renewable energy sources. Heat pumps are a key technology in the fight against climate change, as they can efficiently provide heating and cooling while minimizing environmental impact.

Germany’s commitment to sustainability and innovation is evident in this project, and it sets a great example for other countries to follow. By investing in large-scale renewable energy projects like this heat pump, Germany is demonstrating its leadership in the transition to a low-carbon economy.

I look forward to seeing the positive impact that this heat pump will have on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting a more sustainable energy future. This is a promising development for the tech industry and a step in the right direction towards a more sustainable future.

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