large heat pumps:
Key technology for decarbonising district heating
With their enormous potential for saving energy and CO2, large heat pumps are a key player in the transition to a climate-neutral energy system. This message is increasingly being heard in the market: the expansion curve is pointing steeply upwards, and more and more large-scale projects are being implemented. Hamburg Institut brings together expertise and experience in this field and offers professional support.
Large heat pumps – An overview of our services:
- Technology-specific expert reports
- Potential analyses for a wide variety of heat sources and system concepts
- Thermodynamic modelling
- Illustration of partial load behaviour
- Regular manufacturer exchange and manufacturer-neutral comparison
- Techno-economic assessment
- Assessment of approval eligibility
- funding counselling
Why large heat pumps are indispensable in the energy system of the future
The energy transition is inextricably linked to the heating transition – and large heat pumps play a central role in this. They enable efficient and climate-friendly heat supply by utilising environmental energy from air, water or waste heat sources. In district heating in particular, they offer a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels and thus make a decisive contribution to the decarbonisation of heat supply.
Large heat pumps use electrical energy to raise thermal energy to a usable temperature level. In combination with renewable electricity, they can operate with virtually no emissions, thereby drastically reducing the CO2 footprint of district heating systems. They also offer high efficiency, as they make optimal use of existing environmental or process heat sources.
Flexible integration
Their basic technical principle is tried and tested. Modern large heat pumps can be flexibly integrated into existing and new district heating networks. They are suitable for use in urban areas as well as in industrial applications, where they can efficiently recycle waste heat from production processes. In combination with heat storage systems, they contribute to grid stability and support the optimised use of renewable energies.
Your partner for research and practical implementation
Hamburg Institut has been working on large-scale heat pump technology for many years. We carry out fundamental research in large-scale research projects to support market ramp-up. At the same time, we support companies with practical advice on concept development and successful implementation of this key technology.
Our services range from the preparation of technology-specific expert reports and potential analyses for various heat sources and plant concepts to thermodynamic modelling and simulation of partial load behaviour. Thanks to our regular exchange with manufacturers, we can offer a manufacturer-neutral comparison of different systems and carry out a well-founded techno-economic evaluation. In addition, we provide support in assessing the approvability of systems and offer comprehensive advice on suitable subsidies.
Get in touch with us and let’s drive forward the heat transition together!
References in the field of large heat pumps
Stadtwerke Neustadt in Holstein (Neustadt in Holstein municipal utility company) is implementing one of the first seawater heat pumps in a large heating network in Germany. Hamburg Institute has been supporting this flagship project since 2016: our experts advise on technical issues, solution approaches, designs, economic efficiency and approval planning, among other things. One of the goals was to obtain water law permission from the Lower Water Authority in 2022.
In the research project Heat Transition: Strategies for the Use of Climate-Neutral District Heating Technologies, Hamburg Institut is working with consortium partners to investigate key questions about the future of district heating supply. The project examines various climate-neutral district heating technologies, including large heat pumps, identifies potential obstacles and develops measures to overcome these barriers.
On behalf of Stadtwerke Kiel AG, Hamburg Institut, together with BWS GmbH and LÄRMKONTOR GmbH, conducted a feasibility study in 2024 for a 30 MW seawater heat pump, including technical feasibility, noise emissions and preliminary planning of a withdrawal structure. In addition, Hamburg Institut advised Stadtwerke Kiel in 2024 as part of the project at the coastal power plant on the subject of large heat pumps.
On behalf of Energieversorgung Sylt GmbH, Hamburg Institut drew up a transformation plan in accordance with BEW Module I for the district heating network in Westerland with a heat demand of approx. 27 GWh/a in 2022 and 2023. The focus of the analysis was on plant concepts for large heat pumps using air and wastewater from a sewage treatment plant.
Hamburg Institut advises Hamburger Energiewerke on large heat pumps as part of the transformation process to replace the Tiefstack coal-fired combined heat and power plant in Hamburg with district heating from large heat pumps (river water).
Hamburg Institut prepared a technical report on large heat pumps for Stadtwerke Oranienburg GmbH in 2024/25, analysing and evaluating the available heat sources. Large heat pumps using lake water, river water and air as heat sources were identified as the preferred technologies by comparing refrigerants, system designs and economic parameters based on thermodynamic simulations.
Sharing experiences: Network for Innovative and Green District Heating in Northern Germany (IGFN)
In 2022, Hamburg Institut initiated the „Network for Innovative and Green District Heating in Northern Germany“. It connects utility companies in Northern Germany with the aim of exchanging ideas and experiences on the climate-neutral design of district heating networks and promoting solutions. Regular network meetings are held to provide information and discuss key topics such as large heat pumps.
Further references. Our contribution to the topic of renewable heat
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