Vildbjerg
- exploiting the fluctuating electricity market with large-scale air-source heat pump
The case
In Vildbjerg, Denmark, three H-1800 air-source CO2 heat pumps complete the district heating company’s heating system. Alongside these heat pumps, the setup includes a 12 MW electric boiler, two 3.5 MWe CHP units, solar heat collectors and substantial energy storage in two hot water energy accumulators. Together, they ensure optimal heat production regardless of electricity prices.
The energy storage holds approximately 7,000 m³ of hot water, providing significant flexibility to switch units on and off in response to electricity price fluctuations while reliably meeting the heating needs of around 2,000 consumers.
The heat pump
The heat pump installation consists of three standard H-1800 AW units, each with six evaporators, positioned side by side. Thorbjørn Madsen, Director at Vildbjerg Technical Works, expresses his excitement about the installation, saying: “The heat pump optimises our existing electric boiler and CHP units, enabling us to exploit the advantages of the fluctuating electricity market”.
Due to special wind and weather conditions, the units have even produced snow while generating heat. This is just one example of the way large-scale air-source heat pumps can interact with the forces of nature, and why our technical experience and intelligent control systems are essential to ensure reliable, stable operation without unforeseen issues.
The heat pump was commissioned in 2023 and fully handed over to the customer after commissioning.
Year: 2023
Model: 3 x H-1800 AW
Application: Air-to-water heat pump
Capacity:
7 MW, 35°C/68°C hot water (5°C/85% humidity)
Heat source: Air
COP: 3.2
Defrost method: Glycol