An Austrian startup, EnerCube, is installing over 1,000 prefabricated R290 air source heat pumps in apartment buildings across Germany.
The rollout follows news that Vonovia SE, EnerCube GmbH and DFA Demonstrationsfabrik Aachen GmbH have entered into a strategic partnership to ramp up production of the innovative Heat Pump Cube.
Under the banner “Shaping the heating transition – innovation in series production”, over 1,000 Cubes are to be built in Aachen by the end of 2029 and then installed in Vonovia neighbourhoods across Germany.
This enables over 20,000 residential units to be heated without the use of fossil fuels.
The Heat Pump Cube is a compact heating system that combines all key components within a compact cube.
The Cube is installed outside buildings in residential areas. This modular solution will replace conventional heating systems in places without connections to local or district heating networks.
By providing climate‑neutral heating and hot water to apartment buildings, Heat Pump Cubes will play a key role in the heating transition in existing buildings. The switch to sustainable direct supply also impacts operating costs positively.
After a successful pilot phase, the Aachen-based company DFA Demonstrationsfabrik Aachen GmbH (DFA) will now lead the industrial rollout of this solution.
DFA specialises in the fast scale-up of innovative products – from pilot series to full-scale production.
Combining their digital expertise, ramp-up experience and production planning skills, they have successfully helped numerous companies move from prototypes to mass production.
Thanks to their close ties with RWTH Aachen Campus, DFA combines scientific excellence with practical industrial experience, making it the ideal partner to bring the Heat Pump Cube project to industrial scale.
The Cube is available in a range of power ratings and provides sustainable heating from the ambient air to between 10 and 40 homes.
Thanks to its built-in sound insulation, the system is suitable even for high-density housing estates. Its high level of prefabrication significantly reduces on-site installation times and is not rendered impossible by cramped boiler rooms or entrance areas.
Maintenance and repairs can be carried out on this external system without any disruption to residents.
Vonovia SE CEO, Rolf Buch, said the energy transition will not succeed without innovation. “With our Heat Pump Cube, we offer a modular solution that works quickly and easily in existing buildings,” he said.
“This is important in times of skilled labour shortages. and increasing environmental requirements. Green energy benefits our tenants and the climate alike.
“With strong partners at our side, we will now roll out this sustainable system in our neighbourhoods across Germany.”
CEO of DFA Demonstrationsfabrik Aachen GmbH, Wolfgang Boos, said preparations for full scale production are underway.
The pilot project in Donauwörth was a resounding success, achieving energy savings of 40 per cent. By the end of the year, 30 systems are expected to be operational.