Largest Cooling Supply Site in Germany: E.ON’s Commitment to Heidelberg University

Largest Cooling Supply Site in Germany: E.ON’s Commitment to Heidelberg University

(IN BRIEF) E.ON and Heidelberg University Hospital have officially opened a new cooling center in Heidelberg, Germany, in response to a significant increase in cooling needs on the Heidelberg University campus. The facility, designed for a maximum capacity of 48 megawatts (MW) and up to 12,000 cubic meters of cooling, aims to address rising demand efficiently and sustainably. The cooling center will gradually expand to meet future requirements and reduce raw water usage for cooling through innovative technologies. E.ON has invested around €40 million in enhancing refrigeration supply infrastructure in the region, ensuring uninterrupted cooling, heating, and steam services.

(PRESS RELEASE) ESSEN, 10-Nov-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — In anticipation of a significant increase in cooling requirements on the Heidelberg University campus “Im Neuenheimer Feld,” E.ON (ETR: EOAN), one of Europe’s largest operators of energy networks and energy infrastructure, and Heidelberg University Hospital celebrated the official inauguration of a new cooling center. The “Target Concept 2030,” devised by the University Hospital, predicts a near doubling of cooling capacity by 2030. The new cooling plant, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, has a maximum generation capacity of 48 megawatts (MW) and can produce up to 12,000 cubic meters of cooling. In the initial phase, it will have a capacity of 12 MW, with plans for gradual expansion to meet growing campus demands. The facility incorporates up to 27 hybrid recoolers, which will reduce raw water requirements for the recooling process. Together with an existing cooling center, it forms one of Germany’s largest and Europe’s most extensive cooling supply sites.

E.ON has invested approximately €40 million since 2019 to enhance sustainable refrigeration supply in Heidelberg, including constructing the new cooling center, expanding cooling supply lines, and reinforcing the entire supply area. The continuity of cooling, heating, and steam supply is critical for various research institutions in the region, including the University Hospital, the German Cancer Research Center, and the Heidelberg Technology Park. E.ON’s focus on security of supply and technological innovation ensures uninterrupted service throughout the year.

Anna Jasper-Martens, CEO of E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions Germany, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, “The new cooling center is a flagship project for the region and we are delighted to be making a contribution to the future-proof development of the supply in Neuenheimer Feld. An efficient and economical cooling supply will continue to gain in importance as part of the heating transition. Security of supply is an essential basis for this. The project is an excellent example of how a successful transformation can be driven forward together with strong local partners.”

Patrick Schneckenburger, Managing Director of E.ON Energy Solutions, added, “We are delighted to be commissioning the new cooling plant after three years of planning and construction. 15 kilometers of steam and heating network and nine kilometers of cooling network now supply the buildings on site with heat, steam, cooling and electricity. We will continue to invest in the expansion of state-of-the-art infrastructure in order to ensure a reliable and efficient supply even as energy demand increases.”

In total, E.ON manages around 15 kilometers of heating and steam networks and a nine-kilometer-long cooling network with over 130 transfer stations in the “Neuenheimer Feld” area. Energy is generated through an efficient combined heat, power, and cooling plant, incorporating a gas turbine, waste heat boilers, absorption and compression chillers, and natural gas hot water/steam boilers.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by E.ON Group Management and other information currently available to E.ON. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. E.ON SE does not intend, and does not assume any liability whatsoever, to update these forward-looking statements or to align them to future events or developments.

Media contact:

Alexander Ihl
Spokeswoman
alexander.ihl@eon.com
tel:+49 171 5662245

SOURCE: E.ON SE