BOILERS, PUMPS & VALVES


UK’s first fully integrated heat pump and solar energy system installed


The UK’s first completely integrated heat pump and solar energy system has been installed at a home in North Wales, showing how multiple renewable technologies can maximise efficiency and deliver sustainable dwellings across the country. Combining STIEBEL ELTRON’s heat pump system with Solarwatt’s solar panel technology and smart energy management systems, this is providing the home with sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective energy and heating. At the heart of the collaboration is Solarwatt’s advanced Manager Flex and STIEBEL ELTRON’s EM Trend software package, which both optimise the system and support the storing of energy. Following years of close technological collaboration between the two companies to develop the combined technology, the management systems integrate together, with the homeowner able to control outputs via an app, allowing them to power large appliances, hold onto stored energy, and draw grid power when it suits. Additionally, the intelligent control system allows


the heat pump to automatically optimise energy consumption in response to changing weather conditions to utilise energy generated from Solarwatt’s solar panels more effectively. John Felgate, STIEBEL ELTRON UK managing


FUEL-FLEXIBLE MARINE BOILER ENABLES


SUSTAINABLE SHIPPING


director, said: “If we’re going to drive forward sustainable homes, we need to enable homeowners to optimise their energy usage. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in doing this by integrating Solarwatt’s revolutionary technology with our heat pumps to provide an end-to-end solution which will power Britain’s homes.” Although a first-of-its-kind offering to the UK,


the collaboration between STIEBEL ELTRON and Solarwatt has a proven track record, having been implemented successfully in Germany, where both companies are originally based.


STIEBEL ELTRON www.stiebel-eltron.co.uk Solarwatt www.solarwatt.co.uk


GROUND SOURCE HEAT PUMPS HELP CUT CARBON EMISSIONS AND SAVE RESIDENTS MONEY


Ground source heat pumps (GSHP) are proving beneficial for residents in 74 homes in Appledore and Charing. The £2.2m scheme is the first time that Ashford Borough Council has installed GSHP heating systems in its residential properties. The council is working with British GSHP specialist Kensa to deliver the project, which is due to be completed this summer. Working with a delivery partner, improvements


already delivered over the past 18 months includes cavity wall insulation, external wall insulation, new windows and doors, under floor insulation, air source heat pumps and solar panels. Ground source heat pumps are an effective, highly


efficient low-carbon heating system that harnesses natural, freely available heat stored in the ground. The heat pump collects this low-grade heat and boosts it to a higher temperature to provide the home with low-cost heating and hot water whenever the resident needs it. For this project, multiple boreholes are being drilled deep underground and fitted with a network


of pipes. A mixture of water and antifreeze circulates within these pipes, absorbing the natural heat from the earth. This mix is then passed through the heat pump, which compresses and enhances this energy so it can heat the water used in the home’s radiators and hot water systems. The Kensa Shoebox heat pumps being installed are compact enough to fit inside each property and provide the home with heat via radiators as part of a traditional central heating system. Stuart Gadsden, commercial director at Kensa, said: “Our ground source heat pumps are among the most energy-efficient and sustainable heating options available and, depending on the system they replace, residents could benefit from significantly lower energy bills and a heavily reduced carbon footprint. We have a proven track record of installing our British-made heat pumps in thousands of social homes and are looking forward to extending these benefits to even more residents through this initiative with Ashford.”


Kensa https://kensa.co.uk/


Alfa Laval has produced the first fuel-flexible marine boiler solutions that can be delivered as electric hybrid or hybrid-ready boilers. This innovation supports shipowners in reducing emissions, saving fuel, and staying ahead of evolving green port regulations. FuelEU Maritime, California’s At-Berth Regulation, and China’s strict OPS mandates – alongside the IMO’s upcoming Northeast Atlantic ECA – are driving demand for hybrid boilers that enable vessels to meet emissions requirements while docked. Alfa Laval Aalborg marine boilers offer


shipowners fuel flexibility and hybrid electric readiness to meet both current and future demands. These can be delivered as hybrid and hybrid-ready solutions, with both combustion and electric capabilities. The boiler platform is fuel-flexible, allowing boilers to be configured for operation with oils and biofuels, and one additional alternative fuel – LNG, methanol, or ammonia in the future – based on the shipowner’s choice. The hybrid- ready configuration is designed to operate solely on fuel but is prepared to have an electrical connection installed at a later stage. The future-proof design presents a powerful


pathway for decarbonising port operations and boosting energy efficiency. Whether required or not, connecting to the onshore power while in port allows zero-emission steam production without direct fuel costs or emissions from the vessel, while minimising load on the auxiliary engine. The hybrid boiler solutions are built on deep knowledge of thermal applications and fuel properties, supported by research at Alfa Laval Test & Training Centre in Aalborg, Denmark. The boiler’s fuel configuration ensures full steam output using the selected alternative fuel, with performance equal to conventional fuel operation. Every component of the boiler solution is engineered and manufactured in-house. The electrical part or output is integrated


into the boiler body and sized according to the required steam capacity. Operating in incremental steps, it ensures efficient and flexible steam generation. “Shipowners are already embracing the concept. Since launching the hybrid-ready solution at the beginning of 2025, Alfa Laval has secured many orders,” says Jeppe Jacobsen, head of global sales. “The adaptability of our boiler platform gives shipowners long-term confidence, and they appreciate the peace of mind and flexibility that comes with knowing they are prepared for stricter regulations and evolving fuel availability.”


Alfa Laval Marine Division www.alfalaval.com/marine


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ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS - Summer 2025


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