Temperature transfer or thermal energy exchange occurs in this context. - Utilizing wastewater heat to warm up a substantial new construction in Cologne
A fresh residential complex with 216 dwellings and a childcare facility is about to be warmed up in Cologne, thanks to the heat from wastewater. A heat exchanger is set to be installed in a nearby sewage canal, as reported by energy provider Naturstrom. The energy for the heat pumps will come from a solar panel setup on the rooftops of the residential buildings, with additional green energy sourced from the power grid.
During the colder months, wastewater maintains a temperature of at least 10 to 12 degrees, according to Stephan von Bothmer, CEO of Uhrig Energie, the heat exchanger manufacturer. "This turns it into a fairly energy-rich and dependable heat source, enabling exceptional performance from the linked heat pumps," he explained.
The Minister of Construction for North Rhine-Westphalia, Ina Scharrenbach (CDU), commended the project. "Other construction projects, residents, and the environment will reap the benefits of this experience," she stated in a release. A total of 12.6 million euros in public housing subsidies will be utilized for the entire complex. The apartments are set to be available for occupancy within the following year.
As per the German Heat Pump Association, up to 10 to 15 percent of a building's heat requirement in Germany could potentially be met with heat from wastewater. Particularly in urban areas, there's a lot of potential, as the heat source and potential heat demand are located relatively close to each other. Various projects have already been executed in various cities. For example, a senior living facility in Dortmund and a residential block in Berlin are both heated using wastewater heat.
The heat exchanger in the sewage canal is expected to draw heat from the waste water, maintaining a temperature of at least 10 to 12 degrees. This waste water heat, as noted by the German Heat Pump Association, has the potential to meet up to 15% of a building's heat requirement in Germany, especially in urban areas where the heat source and demand are proximally situated.
