1.6MW CO₂ Heat Pump at Solihull Energy Centre
Location: West Midlands, UK
Purpose: Sustainable district heating
Sector: Public Sector – Energy & Infrastructure
Technology: CO₂ Heat Pump (R744) – 1.6MW capacity
Project Overview
Absolutely Chilled & Heating played a key role in the successful deployment of a high-capacity 1.6MW CO₂ heat pump system at Solihull Energy Centre – a flagship project focused on decarbonising district heating infrastructure for the West Midlands region. This installation is part of Solihull Council’s wider low-carbon agenda, supporting the borough’s ambitions to achieve net-zero emissions by 2041.
Background & Objectives
Solihull Council’s Town Centre Energy Network is a landmark initiative designed to deliver sustainable heating to key public and commercial buildings. The second phase of the project required a significant boost in capacity – while aligning with environmental goals and avoiding synthetic refrigerants with high GWP.
Absolutely Chilled & Heating, as the exclusive UK distributor for REFRA, supplied and supported the deployment of a 1.6MW transcritical CO₂ heat pump engineered for optimal performance in district heating applications. The system delivers low-carbon heating using a natural refrigerant (R744) that offers zero ozone depletion and a GWP of 1.
The Solution
The CO₂ heat pump is a key component of the energy centre’s infrastructure, capable of producing water temperatures of up to 80°C – ideal for integration into existing heating networks. Key features of the installation include:
- High Seasonal Coefficient of Performance (SCOP): Designed for year-round efficiency in UK climates.
- Natural Refrigerant (CO₂): PFAS-free and fully compliant with current and future environmental regulations.
- Robust Control Systems: Seamless integration with the site’s energy management system for real-time optimisation.
- Scalability: Ready to support future phases of the network with minimal modification.
Talk to our team about decarbonising your next heat network project.
Project Impact
By choosing CO₂ heat pump technology, Solihull Council avoided the environmental pitfalls of traditional systems reliant on synthetic refrigerants. The project demonstrates a scalable, future-proof alternative that supports both immediate emissions reduction and long-term sustainability goals.
Key Benefits:
- Over 1,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions avoided annually (est.)
- Efficient high-grade heat delivery from renewable sources
- Resilient, low-maintenance design with 24/7 remote monitoring capability
- Alignment with UK government funding criteria (e.g. Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme)
Why Absolutely Chilled & Heating?
Our team specialises in the supply of advanced CO₂ and hydrocarbon-based heating and cooling solutions for commercial, industrial and public sector projects. With expert technical support and direct access to cutting-edge REFRA technology, we provide end-to-end assistance – from specification through to commissioning and aftercare.
Let’s Discuss Your Project
Whether you’re decarbonising a single site or developing a district-wide energy network, our experts can help.