From fossil district heating network to climate-friendly neighbourhood solution
Modernising a residential area with large heat pumps using R290
In order to ensure a climate-friendly energy supply, a local residential area in Slotsbjergby, Denmark, was to be converted to efficient renewable heating technology: The fossil district heating network was converted to a newly created decentralised, green local heating network with Dimplex heat pumps. The entire neighbourhood with three existing building complexes with a total of 47 flats was to be modernised in an energy-efficient manner. The particular challenge of the project was that the space available meant that it was not possible to install the hydraulics inside the buildings. The water heating was also to remain decentralised and electric.
Project facts
- 3 MFH with 47 flats
- Modernisation of heating system with three LA60P-TUR reversible air/water heat pumps, WPM Touch Master control unit, 1000 l buffer tank
- Containerised hydraulics as plug & play
- Heat distribution radiators
- Customised planning and plug-and-play container solution incl. hydraulic station
- Fast project realisation: only 10 months from initial contact to completiong
The solution
Installation and operating mode
Climate-friendly large heat pump with R290
Dimplex developed a system solution tailored to the individual requirements, in which three Dimplex System C LA 60P-TUR heat pumps were used in combination with a containerised hydraulic station as a plug & play concept.
The complete system was supplied as a plug & play concept, i.e. all coordinated components were already preconfigured so that the new heating network could be put into operation within one day. Even after the modernisation, the hot water continues to be heated decentrally using electricity. Dimplex provided support from the outset with the precise adjustment of the hydraulic components.
For the first time, Dimplex is also demonstrating the use of the natural refrigerant R290 in this performance class, making the Dimplex LA 60P-TUR the ideal choice for this ecological and future-oriented modernisation project, not only due to its efficiency, but also due to its low GWP value.
Customised container with hydraulic station
The three System C heat pumps are positioned next to each other at a central installation site in the neighbourhood of the residential buildings. Right next door is a simple container, which at first glance could be mistaken for a storage shed or bicycle garage. The compact space of just 5 by 2.5 metres houses the entire heating centre for the system.
‘We had to find a way to relocate the entire technology outside, because there was no room for it inside the residential buildings,’ says planner Maik Heydrich, Key Account Manager Engineered Systems/ESE at Dimplex, describing the particular challenge of this modernisation. The tailor-made solution: a ready-to-plug-in container containing a comprehensive hydraulic station - including a complex control cabinet for the load feed of three systems, heating circuit manifolds for three heating circuits, circulation pumps and a 1000 litre buffer cylinder.
Only ten months from initial contact to commissioning
The customised hydraulic container enables uncomplicated maintenance, thus ensuring smooth plant operation and offering the greatest possible safety - right from the planning stage. In the modernisation project in Slotsbjergby, there were just ten months between the initial contact and commissioning. From the device configuration to the safety concept - the entire planning service for the complex hydraulic container was carried out completely independently of the work on site.
The heat pumps and the ready-to-plug-in container then only had to be brought to their destination and connected - which was done quickly and easily thanks to the plug & play concept.
Control and connectivity
The demand-led control via six output levels using the intelligent Dimplex master control allows up to 14 heat pumps to be cascaded. Compatibility with interfaces and cloud connections via APIs offers the option of monitoring and remote access.
Achieving climate neutrality with customised system solutions
The new system has already mastered its first heating period, during which the Dimplex heat pump system was able to fully impress with its smooth operation and high efficiency.