How Enerblue promoted the decarbonisation of a major industrial hub with a 900 kW R290 system with 90% lower emissions
As part of the energy transition process initiated by a major railway maintenance industrial hub, the main requirement was to replace the existing gas heating system with a solution that was more efficient, reliable, and capable of significantly reducing environmental impact. The site, which covers a total area of 27,000 m², required reliable, scalable technology that could ensure adequate delivery temperatures, even in winter.
The starting point
The decision to heat the premises in a sustainable manner stemmed from the company's desire to improve the site's overall efficiency and reduce emissions.
In addition to measures already implemented to improve energy efficiency, such as the thermal insulation of the building, the replacement of windows and doors, the installation of LED lighting and a photovoltaic plant, the conversion of the heating system was a key step.
The presence of underfloor heating facilitated this transition by enabling the delivery temperature to be lowered successfully from 75 °C to 55 °C, and by making it possible to simulate the performance of any new heat pumps.
The project
| Goal | To reduce CO₂ emissions and improve the efficiency of the 27,000 m² industrial complex |
|---|---|
| Products installed |
Four Purplei HP 50.2 units |
| Results achieved | CO₂ emissions were reduced by 90%, equivalent to around 672 tonnes per year |
After technical assessments and tests were carried out on site, the solution found was to install a natural refrigerant air-to-water heat pump system.
Thanks to the partnership with Kaut, official distributor of Enerblue products, we supplied and installed four Purplei HP 50.2 units, cascade-connected for a total thermal power of approximately 900 kW.
The heat pumps use R290 (GWP = 3), a sustainable refrigerant that aligns with the customer's decarbonisation goals. The cascade configuration enables the required power to be dynamically adjusted and ensures operational continuity, even during periods of variable load.
The new system also includes a 100,000-litre storage tank to stabilise the system and increase the units' efficiency. An auxiliary boiler that can be converted for use with hydrogen only comes into operation in extreme weather conditions, ensuring operational safety while maintaining the objective of reducing fossil fuel use. The system will be monitored via a Building Management System (BMS), which will allow for the accurate measurement of performance and consumption, ensuring optimised management over time.
Results achieved
Replacing the gas-powered system with this new setup has led to an estimated reduction in CO₂ emissions of up to 90%, equivalent to around 672 tonnes per year. Furthermore, the existing photovoltaic system can power the new heat pumps, thereby enhancing the site's energy independence and reducing operating costs.
This project shows that adopting natural refrigerant heat pumps is a concrete, reliable solution for large-scale industrial applications and can guide companies towards more sustainable, efficient, future-oriented production models.
