Vattenfall enables sustainable district heating in Berlin with heat pumps

Vattenfall Berlin

Boosting heat capacity without added emissions

Vattenfall, One of Europe’s largest energy providers sought to expand district heating capacity in Berlin while advancing its goal of fossil-free living within one generation. Using Sabroe HeatPAC heat pumps, Vattenfall converted waste heat into hot water with minimal electricity consumption, reducing costs and avoiding additional carbon emissions.

Impact Highlights

Increased district heating capacity without added emissions

Around 620 tonnes of CO₂ avoided annually

High performance with COP up to 6.5

Meeting growing demand for district heating sustainably

The Buch combined heat and power (CHP) plant in the north of Berlin faced increasing pressure to supply heat to 10,000 apartments and 500 facilities, including schools and clinics. Expanding capacity without relying on fossil fuels required a solution that could utilize existing waste heat efficiently while minimizing environmental impact.

Deploying high-efficiency heat pumps for low-carbon heating

To meet demand without increasing emissions, the Vattenfall installed Sabroe HeatPAC heat pumps. These compact, reliable units use high-pressure reciprocating compressors to deliver exceptional capacity with a small footprint and minimal refrigerant charge. By converting waste heat into hot water with minimal electrical energy, the heat pumps reduce operating costs and environmental impact. With a coefficient of performance (COP) between 6.0 and 6.5, they provide high efficiency under varying temperature conditions.

“The new heat pump installation at Berlin-Buch is part of our goal to enable fossil-free living in one generation, while still delivering on our customers’ expectations for affordable electricity and heat.”

Andreas Heuer
Role/Company: Asset Manager, Vattenfall

Delivering capacity and cutting emissions

The installation enabled the Buch CHP plant to meet heating demand without additional carbon emissions. Key outcomes include:

Increased district heating capacity for thousands of homes and facilities
Avoidance of approximately 620 tonnes of CO₂ annually
Improved performance and reliability with COP up to 6.5
Lower electricity use for heat conversion, reducing operating costs

About Vattenfall

Vattenfall is a major Swedish energy producer and retailer committed to achieving fossil-free living within one generation and delivering sustainable heating solutions for urban communities.

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About the facility

Largest urban heating network in Western Europe
Around 1.3 million connected residential units
Buch island network supplies 10,000 apartments and 500 facilities

Solutions

Sabroe HeatPAC heat pumps

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