Manufacturer of CHP compact modules 50–1,000 kW, large-scale heat pumps and turnkey heating plants up to 4 MW
SOKRATHERM GmbH Energie- und Wärmetechnik
Hiddenhausen · Nordhausen · Althengstett · Wrocław (PL)New on Amplifa
CHP expertise since 1977
Founded in 1977 in Hiddenhausen by Dipl.-Ing. Hermann Meinhold, SOKRATHERM GmbH Energie- und Wärmetechnik is a family-run mid-sized company and manufacturer of combined heat and power (CHP) units based on the principle of cogeneration. The product range includes ready-to-connect CHP compact modules with 50 to 1,000 kW electrical output for the fuels natural gas, biomethane, propane, sewage gas, biogas, landfill gas and hydrogen (H2-ready), air/water large-scale heat pumps with 50 to 750 kW thermal output, and gas engine compressor modules for generating compressed air and heat. In addition, the company builds turnkey CHP heating plants up to 4 MW total output with heat pumps, boilers, buffer tanks and higher-level control. Each module is manufactured to order, undergoes an extensive test bench run with first maintenance in Nordhausen, and is delivered ready for operation in a soundproof enclosure with integrated control cabinet. In-house iPC control systems and the internet-based remote monitoring system RemoteManager enable fully automatic operation and connection to virtual power plants. With around 150 employees, approximately 2,500 delivered CHP modules in over 20 countries and an ISO 9001-certified quality management system, SOKRATHERM supplies industry, hotels, energy utilities, municipalities, hospitals, swimming pools and sewage treatment plants. Manufacturing and the service center are located at the Nordhausen plant, administration and
- Site
- Hiddenhausen
- Processes
- Manufacture of CHP compact modules (combined heat and power units) 50–1,000 kW electrical, Manufacture of natural gas CHP compact modules (GG series), Manufacture of sewage gas/biogas CHP compact modules (FG series), Manufacture of propane CHP compact modules (GG propane), Manufacture of hydrogen CHP compact modules (H2-READY), Gas engine compressor modules (compressed-air cogeneration plant, compressed air + heat), Large-scale heat pumps (air/water heat pumps 50–750 kW thermal), Construction of turnkey CHP heating plants up to 4 MW total output (CHP, heat pumps, boilers,
- Materials
- Natural gas CHP compact modules, Sewage gas/biogas CHP units, Hydrogen (H2-READY), Air/water large-scale heat pumps, Gas engine compressor modules, SCR catalytic converter
- Certificates
- ISO 9001, PQ-VOB prequalification, Grid certification of CHP units (Low/Medium Voltage Directive)
- Founded
- 1977
- Employees
- 150
- Industries
- Industry, Energy utilities, Contractors, Hotels, Hospitals, Senior and nursing homes
- 01
Design and project planning
- 02
Procurement of components from renowned manufacturers
- 03
Control cabinet construction (iPC control, in-house production)
- 04
Assembly of the CHP compact modules in soundproof enclosures
- 05
Test bench run and first maintenance
- 06
Delivery and commissioning at the customer
- 07
Service, maintenance and RemoteManager remote monitoring
Fuels, plant concepts and equipment options
Natural gas CHP compact modules
GG series for operation with natural gas, biomethane, SNG and propane in the output range 50–1,000 kW electrical.
Sewage gas/biogas CHP units
FG series for operation with sewage gas, biogas and landfill gas from sewage treatment plants, biogas and landfill facilities.
Hydrogen (H2-READY)
CHP compact modules are prepared for future operation with hydrogen.
Air/water large-scale heat pumps
Heat pumps 50–750 kW thermal with the refrigerants R290 (propane) and R454B, combinable with CHP units.
Gas engine compressor modules
Compressed-air cogeneration plants for the simultaneous generation of compressed air and heat for industrial operations.
SCR catalytic converter
Catalytic converter system fully integrated in the soundproof enclosure to comply with the 44th BImSchV (Federal Immission Control Ordinance).
Locations and partners
Hiddenhausen
DEHeadquarters: administration, sales, project execution (new office building since 2021)
Nordhausen
DEPlant: CHP manufacturing, test benches, control cabinet construction, warehouse, service center
- Materials
- Natural gas, biogas/sewage gas, propane, hydrogen
- CHP test benches
- Assembly hall approx. 5,000 m²
- Control cabinet construction
- Warehouse
Althengstett
DESouthwest sales office
Wrocław
PLSales Poland (SOKRATHERM Poland)
CHP compact modules and plants
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacture of CHP compact modules (combined heat and power units) 50–1,000 kW electricalAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Manufacture of natural gas CHP compact modules (GG series)Assembly | – | 2.20 m (GG 50 VR length) × 0.90 m × 1.80 m | – | – | – |
| Manufacture of sewage gas/biogas CHP compact modules (FG series)Assembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Manufacture of propane CHP compact modules (GG propane)Assembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Manufacture of hydrogen CHP compact modules (H2-READY)Assembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Gas engine compressor modules (compressed-air cogeneration plant, compressed air + heat)Assembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Large-scale heat pumps (air/water heat pumps 50–750 kW thermal)Assembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Construction of turnkey CHP heating plants up to 4 MW total output (CHP, heat pumps, boilers,Assembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Control cabinet constructionAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Test bench run and testing of the CHP units after manufacturingTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
| CHP control systems (iPC control, MiniManager, MaxiManager, RemoteManager) — development andEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Service and maintenance of CHP units (individual service packages, nationwide customer serviceEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Equipment options: standby power operation, steam generation, thermal oil heating,Assembly | – | – | – | – | – |
3 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHP test benches | – | – | – | – | Nordhausen |
| CHP manufacturing (assembly hall ~5,000 m² incl. control cabinet construction and warehouse) | – | – | – | 1996/2008/ | Nordhausen, Helmestr. 20 |
| CHP genset 1,000 kW (commissioning) | – | – | – | 2020 | – |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality and certification
The quality management system has been certified to ISO 9001 (TÜV Thüringen) since 2007 and is regularly audited; manufacturing is ISO 9001-certified with a subsequent test bench run of every module. The company is prequalified under PQ-VOB and the CHP compact modules are certified in accordance with the Low and Medium Voltage Directive.
| Evidence | Hiddenhausen | Nordhausen | Althengstett | Wrocław |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISO 9001 | ||||
| PQ-VOB prequalification | ||||
| Grid certification of CHP units (Low/Medium Voltage Directive) |
Company history
- 1977
Founded by Dipl.-Ing. Hermann Meinhold in Hiddenhausen (North Rhine-Westphalia)
- 1990
License agreement with the IFA engine works in Nordhausen for the construction of CHP modules
- 1992
Establishment of the Nordhausen branch
- 1993
Market leader in CHP compact modules of the 100 kW class
- 1996
Relocation of the branch to its own plant in Nordhausen
- 2001
Founding member of the Federal Cogeneration Association (B.KWK)
- 2007
First certification of the quality management system to ISO 9001 (TÜV Thüringen)
- 2008/2012/20
Expansion of manufacturing and office space in Nordhausen to approx. 5,000 m²
- 2013
Market launch of the most powerful 532 kW CHP compact module
- 2014
Handover of the family business to Johannes Meinhold; German TGA Award for the Hamburg Energy Bunker
- 2015/2022
Certification of the CHP compact modules in accordance with the Low and Medium Voltage Directive
- 2020
Commissioning of an in-house 1,000 kW genset — entry into the megawatt class
- 2021
Occupancy of the new office building at the Hiddenhausen headquarters
- 2023
Expansion of the product portfolio to include large-scale heat pumps
- 2025
Entry into the 700 kW class with the CHP compact module GG 710