What role do large-scale heat pumps play in district heating transformation?
With their enormous potential for efficiency gains and CO2 savings, large-scale heat pumps are a key player in the transition to a climate-neutral energy system. This message is increasingly being taken on board by the market: the growth curve is rising sharply, and more and more large-scale projects are being implemented. HIC CONSULTING brings together expertise and experience in this field and offers professional support.
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Essential for a sustainable energy system
The energy transition is inextricably linked to the heating transition – and large-scale heat pumps play a central role in this. They enable an efficient and climate-friendly supply of heat by harnessing environmental energy from air, water or waste heat sources. In district heating in particular, they offer a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels and thus make a decisive contribution to the decarbonisation of the heat supply.
Large-scale heat pumps use electrical energy to raise thermal energy to a usable temperature level. When combined with renewable electricity, they can operate with virtually zero emissions, thereby drastically reducing the CO2 footprint of district heating systems. Furthermore, they offer high efficiency as they make optimal use of existing environmental or process heat sources.
Technically proven and easily integrated
Their underlying technical principle is tried and tested. Modern large-scale heat pumps can be flexibly integrated into both existing and new district heating networks. They are suitable for use in both urban areas and industrial settings, where they can efficiently recover waste heat from production processes. When combined with heat storage systems, they contribute to grid stability and support the optimised use of renewable energy.
What we offer you
Funding Management
We identify suitable funding schemes and support you every step of the way, from selecting the right one to submitting your application on time.
Potential analyses for various heat sources and system designs
We identify and evaluate suitable heat sources and system solutions, taking your specific circumstances into account.
Technology-specific expert reports
We produce well-founded expert reports, transformation plans and feasibility studies, thereby providing a robust basis for decision-making regarding planning, investment and operations – and thus for the strategic development of your heating supply.
Thermodynamic modelling
Using precise thermodynamic modelling, including the simulation of partial-load behaviour, we simulate system performance in a realistic manner, enabling optimised design right from the early stages of a project.
Techno-economic assessment
We combine technical performance data with financial indicators to provide a comprehensive project assessment.
Preliminary review, approval & design planning
As part of the preliminary approval and design planning phase, we analyse the legal framework, identify the necessary permits and substantive requirements, define the technical system components, and draw up a robust cost estimate and a detailed design proposal to serve as the basis for further planning.
Permit planning
As part of the planning process for obtaining planning permission, we handle all formal communications with the relevant authorities, coordinate all necessary surveys and oversee the entire process of securing the required permits to ensure the project progresses smoothly and on schedule.
Support with the award process
We support you in the structured preparation and execution of procurement procedures – from the development of tailored evaluation criteria and the thorough assessment of incoming tenders to the provision of transparent and clear award recommendations.
Guidance on the planning and approval of large-scale heat pumps
The “Guidance on the Planning and Approval of Large-Scale Heat Pumps” was produced as part of the research project “Heat Transition: Strategies for the Use of Climate-Neutral District Heating Technologies”, which was launched in 2023. Produced by HIC CONSULTING in collaboration with partners, it explains the technical and legal framework for large-scale heat pumps and answers key questions regarding the need for and feasibility of obtaining planning permission for such systems. Based on concrete project experience, it enhances the technical understanding of planners and users and contributes to a smoother approval process – with a particular focus on systems that use ambient air, surface water or treated water from sewage treatment plants as a heat source.
Why HIC CONSULTING
HIC CONSULTING has been working in the field of large-scale heat pump technology for many years: through large-scale research projects, we carry out pioneering work to support the market ramp-up. At the same time, we support companies with practical advice on concept development and the successful implementation of this key technology. With our interdisciplinary team, we provide professional support on technical, regulatory and economic issues.
Our services are aimed at energy suppliers, industrial companies, project developers and local authorities wishing to incorporate large-scale heat pumps as part of their heating and energy strategy. We provide support throughout the entire process – from the initial potential analysis through to planning and implementation – and play our part in the market ramp-up so urgently needed for the heating transition.
Highlight Projects
Seawater heat pump
Stadtwerke Neustadt in Holstein is implementing one of the first seawater heat pumps in a large-scale heating network in Germany. HIC CONSULTING has been supporting this flagship project since 2016: our experts provide advice on technical issues, potential solutions, design, cost-effectiveness and planning for regulatory approvals, amongst other things. One of the objectives was to obtain a water law permit from the Lower Water Authority in 2022.
Research project ‘Heat Transition’: Strategies for the deployment of climate-neutral district heating technologies
In the research project ‘Heat Transition: Strategies for the Use of Climate-Neutral District Heating Technologies’, HIC CONSULTING, together with consortium partners, is investigating key issues regarding the future of district heating supply. The project examines various climate-neutral district heating technologies, including large-scale heat pumps, identifies potential obstacles and develops measures to overcome these barriers.
Feasibility study for a seawater heat pump
In 2024, HIC CONSULTING, in collaboration with BWS GmbH and LÄRMKONTOR GmbH, carried out a feasibility study on behalf of Stadtwerke Kiel AG for a 30 MW seawater heat pump, covering technical feasibility, noise emissions and preliminary planning for an intake structure. In addition, as part of the project at the Küstenkraftwerk site, we advised Stadtwerke Kiel in 2024 on the subject of large-scale heat pumps.
Transformation Plan in accordance with BEW Module
On behalf of Energieversorgung Sylt GmbH, HIC CONSULTING drew up a transformation plan in accordance with BEW Module I in 2022 and 2023 for the Westerland district heating network, which has a heat demand of approximately 27 GWh/year. The analysis focused on system designs for large-scale heat pumps using air and wastewater from a sewage treatment plant.
District Heating Transformation Process
HIC CONSULTING is advising Hamburger Energiewerke on large-scale heat pumps as part of the transformation process to replace the Tiefstack coal-fired combined heat and power plant in Hamburg with district heating generated by large-scale heat pumps (river water).
Technical report on large-scale heat pumps
In 2024/25, HIC CONSULTING produced a technical report on large-scale heat pumps for Stadtwerke Oranienburg GmbH, analysing and evaluating the available heat sources. Large-scale heat pumps using lake water, river water and air as heat sources were identified as the preferred technologies following a comparison of refrigerants, system designs and economic parameters based on thermodynamic simulations.
