OPEL EISENACH

Sustainable Heat for the Opel Plant in Eisenach

As part of an innovative combined heat and power (iCHP) project, Johnson Controls is currently implementing a new heat pump solution for heat supply at the Opel plant in Eisenach on behalf of the energy contractor GETEC. It will handle summer loads in the future and help replace a portion of fossil fuels with renewable energy. The project supports an efficient and reliable heat supply for the office and production buildings.

The Heat Pump Technology

An air-to-water heat pump system with a total thermal capacity of 1.5 MW is being used. The system is designed to meet the specific requirements of the Opel plant in Eisenach and enables flow temperatures of up to 85°C for hot water production.

Our solution consists of:

• Three York YCPB heat pumps, including external soundproofing enclosures, for noise reduction of up to 16 dB(A).
• One HeatPAC booster heat pump to increase temperature and improve efficiency.
• A Johnson Controls control cabinet for overarching regulation and system control.

A Comprehensive, One-Stop Approach

A key factor in the project’s success is Johnson Controls’ integrated solution approach. From planning through system engineering and control to service support, all components come from a single source. This is complemented by a service network available throughout Germany and a long-term service contract with remote monitoring to ensure high operational reliability and the guaranteed heating capacity over the long term.

Project Status

The systems have been delivered and installed on-site; commissioning is the next step. The project demonstrates how industrial heat pump solutions can be specifically integrated into existing supply concepts. As part of a combined heat and power plant, the heat pump solution will handle summer loads in the future and help replace a portion of fossil fuels with renewable energy.

Delivery of the heat pump system to the Opel site in Eisenach: The three York YCPB heat pumps from Johnson Controls are lifted by crane onto the prepared installation area. (Image: Johnson Controls)

Three York YCPB heat pumps form the first stage of the new heat pump solution, while a Sabroe HeatPAC forms the second. As part of an iCHP system, the system enables flow temperatures of up to 85°C for hot water production. (Image: Johnson Controls)