Mega Heat Pump Delivers First Heat in Esbjerg

World's largest CO2-based seawater heat pump by MAN Energy Solutions starts operation - DIN Forsyning's new heat pump plant set to cut 120,000 tons of CO2 annually, providing climate-neutral heat to Esbjerg and Varde

November 28, 2024

MAN Energy Solutions has successfully commissioned the first unit of its industrial-scale heat pump in Esbjerg, Denmark, marking the delivery of its first heat. Operated by multi-utility company DIN Forsyning, the new heat pump plant will supply approximately 280,000 MWh of climate-neutral heat annually to the district heating networks of Esbjerg and the neighboring town Varde. It will cover the heating needs of 25,000 households, while reducing CO2 emissions by 120,000 tons per year.

Located at the Port of Esbjerg, the plant harnesses renewable energy from nearby wind farms and seawater as a heat source. The facility is part of the transition to replace the city's coal-fired power plant, which ceased operations, and forms a critical part of Esbjerg's ambitious goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. With a total heating capacity of 70 MW, the CO2-based heat pump system is the largest of its kind ever brought into operation globally. It operates in tandem with a new 60 MW wood chip boiler that uses sustainable wood chips and a 40 MW electric boiler plant, which serves as a peak and backup load facility.


Oil-free, hermetically-sealed HOFIM® motor-compressor at the core of MAN's industrial-scale heat pump system.   Image by DIN Forsyning, Christer Holte / MAN Energy Solutions

Helle Damm-Henrichsen, Managing Director of DIN Forsyning, expressed her excitement: "This is a significant milestone that we have eagerly anticipated for a long time. From now on, all our customers in Varde and Esbjerg will benefit from district heating directly sourced by the North Sea. This achievement is not only transformative for DIN Forsyning but also a major step forward for the climate. While we may be in western Jutland, I believe it's fair to call this a world premiere: the world's largest CO2-based seawater heat pump is now producing heat."

Dr. Uwe Lauber, CEO of MAN Energy Solutions, stated: "I'm extremely proud that our Mega Heat Pump is now providing climate-neutral heat to the people of Esbjerg and Varde. As a pioneering city, Esbjerg demonstrates how urban heating systems can be reshaped by harnessing renewable energy sources. Utilizing innovative industrial-scale heat pumps to deliver sustainable heating is not just a technological achievement but a blueprint for other cities worldwide as they transition to greener energy systems. At MAN Energy Solutions, we are committed to transforming energy into tangible benefits for communities and businesses while driving down emissions."

A key feature of MAN's solution is its use of non-toxicologically and environmentally safe CO2 as a refrigerant for the entire system-cycle. This is of particular interest to DIN Forsyning given the plant's location on the shore of the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a sensitive ecosystem. The solution also enables fast power-balancing of the electrical grid and thus supports the integration of intermittent power generation like solar and wind. The system can be switched on and off many times a day with fast reaction capability.

The basic principle of heat pump technology is to use electrical energy to elevate low-temperature thermal energy to a higher, usable level. For every MWh of electrical energy invested, approximately three MWh of usable thermal energy can be generated. At the core of the plant are two oil-free, hermetically sealed HOFIM® motor-compressor units developed and manufactured by MAN Energy Solutions in Zurich, Switzerland. These units use high-speed motors and active magnetic bearings, eliminating the need for oil and reducing maintenance requirements. The machines will be connected for remote monitoring, data-analytics and diagnostics of the compressor technology and the auxiliary systems.

MAN Energy Solutions, Press Release