On October 31, BMW Group made key progress in its “Hot Land Strategy” in Shenyang. The Huachen BMW powertrain plant and the sixth-generation power battery center officially began operations with geothermal heating. BMW Group showed how local innovation reduces the carbon footprint of its “new generation” models. This strengthens its green competitiveness in the Chinese market. The project uses 100% non-fossil energy for heating. It not only achieves a low-carbon production transformation but also provides a replicable and scalable model for clean heating in northern industrial regions.
Ms. Huo Simei, Director of Human Resources and Employee Relations at BMW Group, spoke at the launch ceremony. She said, “With the official launch of the geothermal heating project at our Shenyang production base, we establish an important milestone in forward-looking energy supply with our partners from government and industry. This project reflects our integrated approach of responsibility and innovation. We are proud to lead in China and contribute to global and local resource conservation goals.”
Shenyang, a typical northern industrial city, faces a long winter heating period and high reliance on traditional energy. Low-carbon heating presents a key challenge for the city’s carbon reduction efforts. BMW Brilliance drives technological innovation. With strong support from the local government, it partners with China Huaneng Group, Wanjing New Energy Co., Ltd., and Shenyang Sino-German Park Development Group. Together, they tap into Shenyang’s rich geothermal resources. They create a benchmark project that combines energy efficiency, environmental protection, and high performance. The “super floor heating” project moves from blueprint to reality, supporting the construction of a zero-carbon industrial park in Shenyang Sino-German Park and optimizing the regional energy structure.
The project uses coaxial heat exchangers for heat exchange with underground rock formations. It reaches a depth of 2,900 meters to collect geothermal energy. The system operates in a closed-loop cycle, extracting heat without using water. This approach protects local water and soil. Compared to traditional shallow ground source heat pumps, this system occupies less space, operates more steadily, and offers higher efficiency. It especially meets heating needs in cold northern regions. The plan includes drilling 28 medium-depth geothermal wells. The total heating area will be about 580,000 square meters. The project expects to reduce carbon emissions by 18,000 tons annually. This reduction equals the emissions from a car traveling around the Earth’s equator 3,000 times. It will help preserve the clear waters and blue skies of Shenyang.