ebm-papst develops 23 kW R290 heat pump demonstrator
Germany – ebm-papst has commissioned a fully operational 23 kW air-to-water heat pump demonstrator at its Landshut site in Germany. The R290 monoblock can produce hot water at temperatures of up to 70°C and is designed to help the company assess how key heat pump components interact under real-world operating conditions.
Developing complete system expertise
The demonstrator will serve as a reference and development platform, with the work focused on the interaction between the ventilation system, evaporator, refrigeration circuit and electronics.
The system combines a fan and microchannel evaporator with ebm-papst’s compact CompaNamic high-speed turbo compressor, inverter electronics and refrigeration controls. Actuators and sensors are networked through an intelligent control system, with communication provided via Modbus.
Anyone who wants to help shape the heat pump of the future must understand the entire system
Dr Hannes Säubert, managing director of ebm-papst
Oil-free compressor technology
The CompaNamic high-speed turbo compressor operates without oil, which ebm-papst said reduces vibration and improves the overall efficiency of the system.
Inverter electronics developed for very high rotational speeds provide precise and dynamic control of the refrigeration circuit. Air is actively guided through the microchannel evaporator, allowing the fan, heat exchanger, compressor and controls to be evaluated as a coordinated assembly.
The demonstrator is designed to deliver 23 kW of heating capacity, with hot water temperatures of up to 70°C and an operating range of -10°C to 30°C.
Testing under real-world conditions
The heat pump has been incorporated into ebm-papst’s Refrigeration Innovation Center in Landshut, where different operating conditions can be simulated.
The development environment is intended to support manufacturers of heating and air conditioning equipment by providing system-level testing and technical expertise. The longer-term objective is to contribute to the development of heat pumps that are more efficient, quieter and more compact.
The demonstrator was commissioned by the Bavarian Minister-President on 9 July 2026. According to ebm-papst, the project also underlines the strategic importance of heat pump technology to Bavaria as an industrial location.
