Star team wins top award

UK: The team behind the world’s largest zero carbon 90°C ammonia district heat pump has won the prestigious Rittinger Award at the International Heat Pump Conference in Montreal.

The heat pump, which has been installed in Scandinavia, was designed and manufactured in Glasgow by Star Refrigeration,

Dr Andy Pearson, managing director of Star’s Contracts Group and immediate past president of the Institute of Refrigeration, was in Montreal last night to receive the for his groundbreaking research, design and development work in the field of heat pump technology. His pioneering technology has made it possible to deliver heat at high temperatures using ammonia.

The large scale renewable district heating installation provides hot water and heating for the buildings, offices, schools, business and hospitals of the city of Drammen, near Oslo.

The 13MW industrial heat pump takes heat from a local river to heat the equivalent of 6,000 homes.

The industrial water heat pump design allowed an energy efficiency increase of 25%, in comparison to conventional commercial heat pumps. It also permitted the use of renewable energy – hydroelectricity- ensuring the heat pump makes zero carbon heat available from a fjord.

The Rittinger award is granted every three years by the International Energy Agency Heat Pump Programme to deserving individuals or teams from member countries who have distinguished themselves in the advancement of heat pumping technologies applications, market development as well as dissemination activities with lasting international impact.

The award is named after Peter Ritter von Rittinger, an Austrian engineer credited with the design and installation of the first practical heat pump system in 1856.

Admitting his delight at receiving the Award, Dr Pearson said: “I would also like to congratulate all those who have contributed to this development. Aside from the team at Star, whose effort helped realise the dream, I’d like to thank our suppliers, including Vilter Emerson who worked closely with us to develop a new industrial type of compressor to deliver the higher pressures. Our client Drammen Fjernvarme deserves a special mention for backing their vision up with terrific support to make it happen”.

“This awards demonstrates the UK’s businesses strength in innovation and leading expertise in technical design of climate friendly technologies.

“I hope this accolade will help raise awareness of the value of water-source heat pumps.”