World News

Industry news and insights from Europe and around the World

UK News

Latest news and developments in the United Kingdom

Products

Keep up-to-date with the latest new products and technology

Features

General articles, applications and industry analysis

District heat pump is Star winner

Star Renewable
Dave Pearson (left) celebrates last night’s award with Star Refrigeration group md Graham Stuart

UK: Star insists that heat pump technology in large commercial and industrial systems has come of age following its win in last night’s Heat Pump Awards.

Star Renewable Energy, part of the Star Refrigeration Group, took home the Public Sector Project of the Year Award at last night’s event for the company’s groundbreaking development of the world’s largest zero carbon 90ºC district heat pump in Norway.

The 13MW ammonia district heat pump provides hot water at up to 90ºC for the buildings of the city of Drammen, a community near the capital city of Oslo with 63,000 people.

The nomination saw Star go up against the likes of industry giants such as Daikin, Mitsubishi and Danfoss, making the win a truly outstanding achievement.

Delighted at receiving the award, Dave Pearson, director at Star Renewable Energy said: “The projects we have completed really demonstrate that heat pumps have now become environmentally and economically viable and should no longer be associated with smaller systems typically limited to 45ºC.

“The technological advancements of the Neatpump in Drammen have revolutionised the way factories, hospitals, universities and houses can and should be heated,” he added.

Latest News

14th October 2026

Space Engineering acquired by German group

UK: Bristol-based Space Engineering Services has been acquired by Bluu Unit, the German group of refrigeration, air conditioning and ventilation firms.
14th October 2026

French cyber agency warns of further attacks

FRANCE: The French government's national cybersecurity agency ANSSI has warned that attack campaigns are likely still underway targeting refrigeration equipment.
14th October 2026

Daikin opens expanded US Modular Solutions site

USA: Daikin Applied has opened its newly expanded 17,750m2 Modular Solutions facility in Phoenix.
14th October 2026

Arkema launches new R134a replacement

FRANCE: Arkema has announced the release of R516A, a new, lower GWP refrigerant replacement for R134a in HVAC and cooling applications.
13th October 2026

Hitachi launches Air365 Max (Pro) R32 VRF

GERMANY: Launched at this week’s Chillventa show, Air365 Max (Pro) is Hitachi’s latest VRF system using R32 refrigerant for commercial projects.
13th October 2026

Panasonic adds compact R290 heat pumps

GERMANY: Panasonic has introduced new compact residential indoor and outdoor units to its Aquarea M Series of R290 air-to-water heat pumps.