In the SCOUTHEAT project, all the engineering 
disciplines in Oberhausen are breaking new ground – 
the close cooperation enables nearly autonomous 
machine operation.

MAN Energy Solutions is using a large heat pump to electrify the air conditioning at the new Scout Motors plant, where electric vehicles will be produced. The premises in South Carolina, USA, have to be cooled in the hot summers, while in the relatively mild winter months they are heated. As process heat also has to be used, no other supplier than MAN ES was able to meet the tough requirements from a standing start.

The MAN heat pump solution employs two five-stage RH compressors from Oberhausen as core machines. The complex order also includes electric motors, process equipment such as heat exchangers, condensers, coolers and evaporators, piping and a control system. For Scout Motors as a customer, the reliability and availability of the solution are extremely important. System Engineering is playing a key role here, with the so-called ancillary systems accounting for the majority of the complexity and costs.

Engineering & Digitalization play a key role

MAN’s strength is also evident in the area of digitalization, as the Digital Convoy Package makes semi-autonomous machine operation possible. “For the first time, a heat pump system is being implemented that can be operated almost autonomously,” explains Mahsa Atyabi, who previously advised various customers in Canada as a climate change specialist. When she moved to ­Oberhausen in 2020, she initially used this knowledge at MAN ES as Manager for Technical Bid ­Support – her first challenge at Intelligent Automation Solutions (IAS) was the BREVICO project. In 2022, Mahsa became team leader for technical bid support, covering all digital solutions and tools in IAS. This includes modeling and dynamic simulations, virtual commissioning and AI based solutions such as virtual sensors and performance monitoring. By working closely with other engineering units such as thermodynamic simulation and system engineering, Mahsa helps to minimize process risks and reduce installation time. “­Volkswagen is aware of the great complexity and trusts MAN ES to make the whole cycle work, which makes us proud.” What is more, this site could be the first CO₂-neutral production plant in the ­Volkswagen brand network – this would be a milestone in the Group’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions.