Decarbonization calls for new technologies
MECOS is an important technology provider to enable the transition into a decarbonized economy.
One example of how the technology provided by MECOS is enabling a significant step towards decarbonization is the active magnetic bearing system used in MAN Energy Solutions' industrial heat pumps.
Danish multi-utility company, DIN Forsyning, has commissioned MAN Energy Solutions to supply a turnkey technology solution for heat generation, featuring two ETES heat-pump systems. These will be installed in a new district heating plant based on the operating principle of a heat pump – but on a large, industrial scale.
The key, innovative feature of ETES technology is the use of toxicologically and environmentally safe CO2 as a refrigerant for the entire system cycle. The CO2-based heat-pump plant in Esbjerg will be the largest of its kind ever used in the world.
With an overall heating capacity of 50 MW, the plant will supply around 100,000 local inhabitants with approximately 235,000 MWh of heat annually.
The location at the Port of Esbjerg will enable the use of renewable power from nearby wind farms and seawater as a heat source for the generation of heating energy. The new district-heating plant will thus guarantee an emission-free alternative to the city's current, coal-fired power plant, which at present provides approximately half of Esbjerg's district heating and is scheduled for closure by April 2023.
MECOS technology is an enabler to design the heat pumps hermetically sealed, thus giving extra safety as well as improved economics to the system design. MECOS active magnetic bearing technology is at the core of the heat pumps and the bearings operate in a pure CO2 environment.
For the innovative project in Esbjerg, MECOS is providing the complete active magnetic bearing system, consisting everything from the active magnetic bearings and the associated sensors to the control cabinets.
The ETES heat pump system features "Fast Power Balancing Mode". This is an ultra fast load balancing mode, which adjusts the power consumption of the compressor to support the stability of the local electrical grid.
MECOS controller has proven its capability of controlling the complex shaft dynamics during Fast Power Balancing Mode.
