Revolution in heating: Rhine heat pump supplies 3,500 households!

Revolution in heating: Rhine heat pump supplies 3,500 households!

The use of river heat pumps is becoming increasingly popular when it comes to climate protection and sustainable heat supply. For example, the Mannheim utility MVV installed an innovative heat pump in October 2023 that obtained heating energy directly from the Rhine. Around 1,000 liters of water are taken per second in order to raise the temperature of the river water by transferring heat to a refrigerant. This technology not only ensures a sustainable heat supply, but also supplies approximately 3,500 households with heating energy. The cooled water then flows back into the Rhine, which supports the closed cycle. A second, larger heat pump is scheduled to be put into operation in 2028 and will cover the heating needs of up to 40,000 households, as RiffReporter reports.

But it's not just rivers that offer great potential for heat supply. Ice storage in combination with heat pumps represent an equally highly efficient and economical solution. An ice storage uses the latent heat energy that is released during the phase transition from water to ice. This technology is not only interesting for heating, but also for cooling in extreme weather conditions, so it does good business in terms of efficiency and sustainability. In addition to connecting ice storage to heat pumps, the aquatherm company offers innovative and corrosion-free plastic pipe systems that can be used for private and commercial buildings, he said aquatherm blog.

Wide range of possible uses

Heat pumps have now taken on a permanent place in various construction projects. Previously used mainly for single-family homes, they are now used in new buildings, old buildings, residential complexes and even entire neighborhoods. The capacities are impressive: high-temperature heat pumps can reach up to 160°C and are already used in industrial processes. This not only enables efficient use of renewable energies, but also supports defossilization and the electrification of heat supply, like that Fraunhofer ISE clarified.

An underground water tank that acts as a central thermal storage ensures that excess energy is stored. Large buildings in particular benefit from ice storage because it not only increases efficiency, but also helps reduce peak loads. In addition, the regeneration of the ice storage can be supported by external heat sources, such as solar collectors. This also makes the operation of the heat pump even more energy efficient.

• Beispiele für Projekte, die diese Technologie erfolgreich umsetzen:
• Eventlocation “2T” in Lindlar mit 1.700 m³ Eisspeicher.
• dekoGraphics in St. Leon-Rot mit regenerativem Energiekonzept.
• Logistikhalle Distribo in Göttingen mit maßgeschneidertem Klimatisierungskonzept.

Overall, these developments show that the future of heat supply can be designed not only economically but also ecologically. Innovative solutions such as river heat pumps and ice storage in combination with modern pipe systems increase efficiency and at the same time we make an important contribution to climate protection. Cities like Mannheim are already sending a clear signal in this direction and showing how innovative technology can be used in everyday life.