STORO deserves to win an award because it challenges the conventional idea of what a heat pump water heater can be.
The surprising part is that a system capable of delivering 230 litres of mixed hot water (V40) can fit into a footprint comparable to a standard dishwasher: just 595 × 550 × 850 mm. By combining an R290 heat pump with a high-energy-density PCM thermal battery, STORO brings a traditionally bulky technical system into the kitchen and makes it virtually invisible.
But the innovation goes beyond compactness. STORO turns hot water storage into an intelligent energy asset. Its PCM acts as a “thermal battery”, allowing surplus photovoltaic energy to be stored as heat and used when needed, while Smart Grid, Demand Response and adaptive control optimize when and how the system operates.
PDX also adapts to the building rather than forcing the building to adapt to the technology: it can use outdoor air, stale indoor air or ambient air, and can be built in or free-standing.
In short, STORO combines advanced thermal engineering, renewable energy integration and architectural design in one product – turning a hidden technical appliance into a key element of the sustainable home. At the same time, it opens a new market perspective by bringing heat pump technology into the world of household appliances. STORO is not merely a technical system installed in a building; it is a new type of connected, energy-efficient appliance, designed to integrate naturally into the domestic environment and to become part of the future kitchen.