Mega Heat Pump From MAN Energy Solutions Supplies First Heat in Esbjerg, Denmark

Esbjerg, Denmark - While heat pumps are being politicized in Germany, the market in the Nordic countries continues to pick up speed. The world's largest CO₂-based seawater heat pump from MAN Energy Solutions has now gone into operation in Denmark.

MAN Energy Solutions is building two large heat pump units with a combined heating capacity of 70 MW on behalf of DIN Forsyning in Esbjerg, Denmark. The first of the two large heat pumps has now gone into operation. Electricity from nearby wind farms is used, with seawater from the North Sea serving as the heat source.

Heat transition in Denmark: heat pumps instead of coal-fired power plants

After the Danish Energy Agency decided to close the Esbjerg coal-fired power plant in 2018, the Danish company DIN Forsyning worked on implementing fossil-free heat generation. One of the very important and significant sub-units, the seawater heat pump from MAN Energy Solutions, was put into operation today (28.11.2024).

The enthusiasm of Helle Damm-Henrichsen, Head of DIN Forsyning, is clear to see: “It is of course a milestone that we have been waiting for a long time. Now all of our customers in Varde and Esbjerg are getting district heating from the North Sea. And although we are located in West Jutland, I dare to call it a world premiere: The world's largest CO₂-based seawater heat pump to date is in operation.”

Fossil-free heating strategy: heat pump, electric and wood chip boiler

The heat pump system in the port of Esbjerg, together with other technologies, replaces the city's decommissioned coal-fired power plant and makes a significant contribution to Esbjerg's ambitious goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2030. The heat pump system is supplemented by a wood chip boiler (60 MW output), which uses sustainable wood chips, and an electric boiler system (40 MW), which serves as a peak and reserve load system.

In addition, smaller heating plants in the surrounding area act as peak and reserve load plants. In future, surplus heat from industrial operations will replace large parts of the non-electricity-based plants.

Technology: MAN relies on carbon dioxide as a refrigerant

The basic principle of heat pump technology is to raise low-temperature heat energy to a higher, usable level by using electrical energy. For every MWh of electrical energy used, the system generates around three MWh of usable thermal energy (i.e. annual coefficient of performance = 3).

At the heart of the system are two oil-free, hermetically sealed HOFIM® motor-compressor units developed and manufactured by MAN Energy Solutions in Zurich. These machines operate with high-speed motors and active magnetic bearings, which eliminates the need for oil and reduces maintenance. The units are also equipped with a system for remote monitoring, data analysis and diagnostics to efficiently control both the compressor technology and auxiliary systems.

A key feature of the MAN technology solution is the use of toxicologically and ecologically harmless CO₂ as a refrigerant in the closed system circuit. This is particularly relevant for DIN Forsyning, as the plant is located on the Wadden Sea - a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a sensitive ecosystem. The large heat pump can be switched on and off several times a day to respond to fluctuations in demand.

Source: IWR Online, 28 Nov 2024