MAN Energy Solutions - Experts & Thought Leaders

Danish multi-utility company, Aalborg Forsyning, has placed a follow-up order with MAN Energy Solutions for an additional heat pump unit, increasing the overall heating capacity to 177 MW with four units. This follows the initial order submitted in 2023, significantly expanding the scope of the project. Each heat pump has a capacity of around 44 MW, making them the largest heat pump units ever to be installed in district heating plant worldwide. Collectively, the plant will supply up to 700,000 MWh of heat annually, or equivalent to one-third of Aalborg’s heat production. District heating network Situated on the northern bank of the Limfjord strait, the district heating plant will use seawater as a heat source. The heat pumps will utilize electricity from Aalborg Forsyning’s renewable sources to elevate the water temperature from 1-15° Celsius up to 98°, which is the temperature used in the district heating network. This project will reduce CO2 emissions by up to 210,000 tons annually compared to the city’s coal-fired power plant, scheduled for closure in 2028.   Mikael Adler, Head of Sales and Project Management Heat Pumps at MAN Energy Solutions, stated: “This follow-up order from Aalborg Forsyning underscores their trust and confidence in our heat pump technology. We are excited to continue our collaboration on this pivotal project and are particularly pleased to support Aalborg on its path to net-zero. The integration of this fourth heat pump unit will further enhance the environmental benefits of the city’s district heating network.” Climate-friendly district heating Jesper Høstgaard-Jensen, Technical Director at Aalborg Forsyning, added: “We are delighted to expand the overall heating capacity in collaboration with MAN Energy Solutions. These seawater heat pumps are the key part of our transition from coal-based to climate-friendly district heating, providing flexible heat at a very high temperature of up to 98°C. Additionally, it is a clear advantage that MAN’s technology uses a natural refrigerant, making it well-suited for heat-pump operation at such high district-heating temperature.” MAN Energy Solutions is executing the project in collaboration with two partners: Bilfinger is responsible for the design and construction of the mechanical systems, while ACS handles the design and implementation of the electrical infrastructure. The involvement of these partners from the very beginning of the project, along with the cooperation between MAN and Aalborg Forsyning, ensures seamless integration into the heat pump system. Intermittent power generation   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 MWth of usable thermal energy can be generated.  A key feature of MAN’s solution is its use of toxicologically- and environmentally-safe CO2 as a refrigerant for the entire system-cycle. Additionally, the solution enables fast power-balancing of the electrical grid and thus supports the integration of intermittent power generation like solar and wind. Active magnetic bearings Core elements of Aalborg’s future heat pump plant are four oil-free, hermetically-sealed HOFIM® motor-compressor units, which are manufactured and tested by MAN Energy Solutions in Zurich, Switzerland. The compression unit utilises a high-speed motor and active magnetic bearings, enabling it to operate without the need for a dry gas seal system and a lube oil system. The scope of contract also encompasses a Long-Term Service Agreement with MAN PrimeServ, including PrimeServ Assist for real-time monitoring, data-analytics and diagnostics of the compressor technology.

MAN Energy Solutions will supply its large-scale heat pump solution to Scout Motors Inc. for its new electric vehicle production in the State of South Carolina, USA. This major venture is part of a multi-billion investment by Volkswagen AG in the American company, which is producing the next generation of fully electric pickup trucks and sport-utility vehicles (SUVs), echoing the iconic Scout vehicles built from the 1960s to 1980. Located in Blythewood near Columbia in the heart of South Carolina, the new facility is designed for an annual production capacity of over 200,000 electric vehicles. With the factory sprawling across approximately 1,100 acres, the manufacturing site faces substantial heating and cooling demands. MAN Energy Solutions installs heat pump system To address these demands, MAN Energy Solutions will install a heat pump system featuring two compressors To address these demands, MAN Energy Solutions will install a heat pump system featuring two compressors, each delivering a 12.5 MW output. This solution will provide heating during the mild winter months and cooling throughout the hot summer, leveraging the heat pump's ability to transfer thermal energy from the ambient air. Gunnar Kilian, Member of the Board of Volkswagen AG and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of MAN Energy Solutions, stated: "The cooperation between MAN Energy Solutions and Scout Motors underscores the Volkswagen Group’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality at all production sites worldwide by 2040. By investing in the large-scale heat pump, both companies are setting a precedent for a sustainable future, as heat pumps make a significant contribution to a sustainable energy supply from both an ecological and economic perspective." MAN Energy Solutions and Scout Motors partnership "Scout has always been oriented toward community, family and the outdoors," said Scott Keogh, President and CEO of Scout Motors, adding "As we build our company, production center and ultimately our vehicles, we are taking great care to treat our community, air, land, water and people with respect. We’re just getting started. The inclusion of heat pumps in our facility is one of many sustainable practices we will implement over the next few years as we work to honor our lead with respect commitment." Future production facilities Uwe Lauber, CEO of MAN Energy Solutions, stated: "We are thrilled to partner with Scout Motors on this project. Our technology expertise and process knowledge allow us to provide the advantages of large-scale heat pumps to industrial and municipal customers. Our heat pump solution can meet a factory’s or a community’s heating and cooling needs without emitting any CO2. This project could serve as a blueprint for future production facilities in the US and all over the world." Adapting to seasonal requirements, the 25 MW heat pump solution features two five-stage RH71 heat pump compressors, each with a 12.5 MW capacity. Both units are used for cooling, while a single machine can fulfil heating needs. The order includes electric motors, process equipment such as condensers, coolers, evaporators, piping and a control system. Enhancing machine availability Handover and commissioning of the MAN large-scale heat pump is scheduled for the first quarter of 2026 "The specific ambient conditions demanded a highly adaptable operating map for the applied turbomachinery technology," explained Mikael Adler, Senior Vice President, Head of Sales and Project Management Heat Pumps at MAN Energy Solutions, adding "The decision was made in favor of our RH compressor as the core technology of our advanced heat pump system for the Scout Motors project. The design minimizes the need for external piping and seals, enhancing machine availability." Vehicle production is targeted to begin by the end of 2026. Handover and commissioning of the MAN large-scale heat pump is scheduled for the first quarter of 2026. Increasing energy efficiency Production is becoming more of a focus within Volkswagen Group’s Sustainability Strategy. The Group is aiming for carbon neutrality at all production sites worldwide as early as 2040 – 10 years earlier than planned. 90 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions are to be reduced compared to 2018 by changing the energy supply and increasing energy efficiency. By 2030, 100 percent of the external electricity supply at all locations, including China, should come from CO2-neutral sources. All European locations are already supplied with 100 percent green electricity. RH compressor at the core of MAN Energy Solutions’ large-scale heat pump system for Scout Motors.