Panasonic Pilzen NET-ZERO factory
Pilzen. Czech republic
2025
Panasonic factory in Pilsen - New construction of one new building and reconstruction of the first building in order to provide facility for Aquarea heat pump production in Europe. Wide portfolio of Panasonic HVAC equipments was used for cooling this facility and the production process.
Challenge
The new Panasonic factory in Pilsen required a highly reliable cooling solution capable of supplying up to 4,800 kW to a large production hall while simultaneously serving administrative spaces and demanding technological processes. This high-capacity, multi‑zone requirement had to be met without compromising energy efficiency and while complying with strict criteria for the use of environmentally responsible refrigerants.
Solutions & applied technology
For the production areas in Building P1, the HVAC designer selected large AHU systems paired with ECOi‑W units to ensure efficient cooling of the expansive manufacturing halls and to meet the required air distribution parameters. Chilled water for these AHUs is supplied by six ECOi‑W air‑cooled chillers using R513A refrigerant, each providing 800 kW of cooling capacity.
To deliver cooling directly to individual workstations, the halls were further equipped with 57 high‑static ducted fan‑coil units, supplying a combined 1,500 kW of cooling.
In production zones where AHUs were not the optimal solution, the design incorporated three rooftop units operating with R32 refrigerant, providing a total capacity of 350 kW.
Building P1 also includes a large administrative section, cooled by high‑efficiency ECOi EX ME2 direct‑expansion systems.
The area is primarily served by compact cassette indoor units with nanoe™ X technology, supporting clean and healthy indoor air quality.
PACi PZH4 outdoor units were implemented as the cooling source for small AHUs, server rooms, and smaller administrative spaces, with a total installed cooling capacity of 165 kW.
In Building P2, production lines for Aquarea M‑series outdoor heat pump units (R290 refrigerant) are installed.
Each line ends with a dedicated testing room, supplied with chilled water from two R32 air‑cooled chillers providing a combined 150 kW of cooling.
Building P2 also houses a calorimeter testing facility, which required a chilled‑water source of 170 kW.
This is provided by an additional air‑cooled chiller using R32 refrigerant.
Partner
KAJIMA
