MAN Energy Solutions, Vicinity Energy Partner for US Heat Pump Project

MAN Energy Solutions and Vicinity Energy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the development of heat pumps as a low-climate-impact energy source for district heating. The partnership will focus on advocating for and developing low-temperature source heat pump systems for steam generation and their application in district energy systems. The MoU was signed by Uwe Lauber, CEO of MAN Energy Solutions, and Bill DiCroce, President and CEO of Vicinity Energy.

"Heating sector accounts for 30-40% of global CO₂ emissions. Without decarbonizing heat, the global energy transition cannot succeed," Lauber said. "District heating systems are one of the most efficient and sustainable ways to provide heat to private households, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities. The task is to reduce district heating systems' dependence on coal or fossil fuel fired heat sources. Our heat pump technology can do that, and we have showcases in the field in Europe to prove it. I am delighted that we could win the trust and support of Vicinity Energy to work together on the application of our technology to Vicinity's impressive district energy system."

DiCroce highlighted the significance of the collaboration. "Vicinity's first heat pump complex in Cambridge, MA, will be the largest in the United States,” he said. “It will be powered by renewable electricity to safely and efficiently harvest energy from the Charles River, returning it at a lower temperature. MAN's cutting-edge technology will now enable Vicinity to renewably harvest energy at scale from rivers and oceans, which are presently warming from the effects of climate change. This is a big deal in district energy's efforts to decarbonize cities, and Vicinity is very proud to lead the way with MAN in this exciting venture."

Vicinity Energy is a district energy company operating North America. The company aims to decrease its carbon emissions by replacing conventional energy sources with renewable power and implementing innovative technologies to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Under the motto "Moving Big Things to Zero," MAN Energy Solutions provides equipment and holistic solutions to help decarbonize energy generation, shipping, and industrial sectors that are considered hard to abate. The company believes that large-scale heat pumps are a key technology to facilitate climate-neutral generation of heat and steam.

"Instead of burning fuel for heating and cooling purposes, heat pumps make efficient use of manifold heat sources, such as lakes, rivers, sea, wastewater, industrial waste heat, geothermal, or ambient air," Lauber said. "Running on green electricity, they have virtually zero emissions. Our large-scale heat pumps are comprised of compressors, expanders, and companders. Using our electrothermal energy storage technology, customers can even add the option to generate, store, and reconvert heat or cold."