25 ball valves for Rostock’s largest heat storage facility

Reliability and availability: the large industrial valves from KLINGER Fluid Control help ensure the safe operation of a large heat storage facility in Rostock, Germany.

2023-12-14

The 208,400 inhabitants of Rostock won’t get cold anytime soon: Thanks to a new, impressively large heat storage tower, the city can now bridge short-term outages in its district heating network. The 55-meter-high steel colossus reaches skywards like an oversized thermos flask. It stores enough thermal energy to supply district heating customers with hot water to cover their central heating and domestic hot water needs for up to a whole weekend.

KLINGER valves for reliable hot water systems

KLINGER Fluid Control played a key role in the heat storage facility’s implementation, supplying a total of 25 ball valves of various designs, some of which are installed in the newly constructed pump house.

“KLINGER valves are an integral part of the systems technology. Their functions include reliably shutting off the hot water system. And reliability is key here, being the foundation of the system’s safe operation,” says Alexander Christen, spokesman for public utility Stadtwerke Rostock.

The other main reason for going with KLINGER Fluid Control products was their availability. “We are very satisfied with our cooperation with KLINGER,” sums up Roland Schulz, the Area Manager for energy systems. The utility company also set great store by having a partner with whom an effective long-term maintenance strategy could be developed, and KLINGER Fluid Control ticked all the boxes.

Contacts mentioned in the article:

Efficient storage of electricity from renewables

René Arnold, the sales representative for Germany at KLINGER Fluid Control, supported the implementation for two years and knows the requirements like no other: “The heat storage system allows the operation of the adjacent gas-fired power station to be largely decoupled from heat demand. This way, power can be generated at times where electricity prices are high, even when heat demand is low.” The surplus electricity from renewable energy sources can be converted into heat by means of a power-to-heat plant and temporarily stored in the heat accumulator for use at a later time, such as at night or on weekends. “This project brings Rostock a step closer to its climate-neutral heat supply target of 2035,” says René.

René Arnold in front of several KLINGER Ballostar KHVI DN800 PN25 valves, which are installed in the flow lines outside the plant to help increase flexibility in operation.

More information on KLINGER Ballostar KHSVI

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What ball valves did KLINGER Fluid Control supply for Stadtwerke Rostock’s heat storage facility?

In total, 25 ball valves from KLINGER Fluid Control were used in the project:

2 pcs. KLINGER Ballostar KHSVI DN1000 PN25

8 pcs. KLINGER Ballostar KHSVI DN800 PN25

2 pcs. KLINGER Ballostar KHSVI DN600 PN25

2 pcs. KLINGER Ballostar KHSVI DN500 PN25

4 pcs. KLINGER Ballostar KHI DN500 PN25

2 pcs. KLINGER Ballostar KHI DN500 PN25 with electro-hydraulic fail-safe actuators

2 pcs. KLINGER Ballostar KHSVI DN400 PN25

1 pce. KLINGER Ballostar KHI DN300 PN25

2 pcs. KLINGER Ballostar KHI DN200 PN25

What special feature does the KLINGER Ballostar KHSVI DN500 PN25 with electro-hydraulic fail-safe actuators have?

In the event of a malfunction, such as a power failure, the ball valve closes automatically by spring force within 32 seconds.

How long does it take to heat the accumulator to maximum temperature using the power-to-heat system?

To heat the fully discharged accumulator to its maximum temperature of 98 degrees Celsius, the power-to-heat system takes about 100 hours.

How long can the heat accumulator hold energy?

It would take all of four years for the fully charged accumulator to cool down to ambient temperature. This is made possible by the heat accumulator’s 40-centimeter-thick mineral wool insulating layer.

Fact box

Did you know ...

… that the product portfolio of KLINGER Fluid Control includes piston valves, manometer cocks and level gauges in addition to ball valves? Decades of experience working with energy utilities allows KLINGER Fluid Control to leverage extensive expertise in development, production, and technical support.
… that ball valves from KLINGER Fluid Control have a reputation in the industry as highly reliable, modern shut-off valves? They are used, among other things, for hot water, steam and heat transfer oils, but can also be employed to control viscous media, such as bitumen or molasses.
… that the pressureless steel tank of the new heat storage facility in Rostock can store up to 45 million liters of hot water? The temperature inside the vessel can reach up to 98 degrees Celsius.
… that the power-to-heat plant that was completed in the summer of 2023 and is located right next to the storage facility has a capacity of 20 megawatts and can turn surplus electricity from renewable sources like wind and solar into climate-neutral heat? This allows the generated energy to be stored, resulting in significant CO2 savings within the system.
… that the heat accumulator’s capacity of two million kilowatt hours allows the Rostock district heating customers to be supplied with hot water for their central heating and domestic hot water needs for up to a whole weekend?
… that the new thermal storage facility rests on a foundation slab with 151 reinforced concrete piles, each 90 centimeters in diameter and 38 meters long? The 55-meter-high storage tower has a diameter of 35 meters.

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