New heart artery goes to the Viennese district heating grid

Strongest large scale heat pumps in Central Europe is warming starting immediately, 25,000 households in a CO2-free

Vienna (OTS) – At the power plant site in Simmering, the largest and most powerful is large-scale heat pump Central Europe in operation. Wien Energie is setting new standards for the heat generation in Vienna: The high-temperature large scale heat pump converts previously non-usable waste heat from the power plants in Simmering directly in district heating. „Vienna remains the most liveable city in the world, we need to reduce CO2 emissions. A large lever is in the sector of heat. The new large-scale heat pump is a European showcase for innovative, environmentally friendly supply of heat and saves each year 40,000 tons of CO2,“ said Ulli Sima, councillor for the environment and Wiener Stadtwerke, on the occasion of the official commissioning.

„Like a heart artery, the large heat pump ensures an efficient circulation that pumps heat in the Viennese households. The utilization of existing waste heat is recovered for a even cleaner heating supply is essential. Wien Energie is setting with the large-scale heat pump in future-oriented technologies, and has invested around 15 million euros,“ says Karl Gruber, managing Director of Wien Energie.

Joseph diver, energy spokesman for the SPÖ Vienna: „40 percent of energy consumption in households and in the trade falls on the heat sector. If we are to produce climate-friendly heat, then we need to address with innovative solutions. District heating is already very environmentally friendly, with the large-scale heat pump, we will further improve.“

Fridge in reverse: the heat pump work

A heat pump works on the same principle as a fridge – only in reverse. The refrigerator waste heat created by the cooling process in the heat pump, this heat is the desired end product. As a heat source is used in the large-scale heat pump in Simmering, the cooling water of power plants, in the more usable heat from the cogeneration plant is derived. In addition, the ambient heat in the immediate vicinity of Danube channel can be used as a heat source.

The large-scale heat pump consists of two identical heat pumps, each with a closed refrigerant circuit. This refrigerant absorbs the heat via a heat exchanger, and is compressed by a power-driven compressor and is heated. Finally, the refrigerant is re-liquefied and the resulting waste heat to the district heating water.

Intelligent distribution system for optimal heat deployment

In the highly complex system built-in technology allows that heat can be from very low temperatures obtained. From temperatures of 6 degrees centigrade can be generated with the help of the heat pump a heat of 95 degrees Celsius. Because the Vienna district heating main pipes (with an average of 100 to 150°C) a rather low temperature, provides a smart distribution system, the water can optimally be used in the district heating network is used and there is used, where the temperatures required are lower.

Facts about the large-scale heat pump Simmering

* Start Of Construction-November 2017

* Total Investment: 15 Million Euro

* Thermal power: 27,2 up to approximately 40 megawatts

* Temperature rise of 6 degrees Celsius to 95 degrees Celsius

* 40,000 tonnes of CO2 savings annually

* Environmentally-friendly district heating for 25,000 households

The large-scale heat pump was supported with funds of the German Federal Ministry for sustainability, and tourism about the programme „Operational domestic environmental support“.

Image – and video material

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About Wien Energie

Wien Energie is the largest regional energy providers in Austria. The company supplies more than two million people, 230,000 commercial installations, industrial installations and public buildings, as well as 4,500 farms in Vienna, lower Austria and Burgenland with electricity, natural gas and heat. The electricity and heating production comes from waste, combined heat and power plants and from renewable energy such as Wind, water and solar power, and biomass. Wien Energie relies heavily on distributed generation and energy services. Information on the company is available online at [www.wienenergie.at] (http://www.wienenergie.at/)

Lisa Grohs
Press Officer, Wien Energie
Phone: +43 (0)1 4004-38073
E-Mail: lisa.grohs@wienenergie.at

Stefan M. Fischer
media speaker StRin Ulli Sima
Phone: +43 1 4000-81359
E-Mail: stefan.fischer.sf1@wien.gv.at