MAN Energy Solutions to supply heat pump for Helsinki’s district heating
Finland’s capital city will reduce CO2 emissions by 26,000 tons annually with MAN heat pump technology Mega heat pump to harness ambient air and renewable electricity for heat generation MAN Energy Solutions to deliver a 33 MW air-to-water heat pump unit – the world’s largest ever used for a district-heating plant.
Finnish energy company Helen Oy has commissioned MAN Energy Solutions to supply an air-to-water heat pump as part of its Patola heating plant complex in Helsinki. The new heating plant, which includes the industrial-scale heat pump and two 50 MW electric boilers, is projected to reduce CO2 emissions by a total of 56,000 tons.
The air-to-water heat pump plant will be the largest in the world, with a full heating production capacity ranging from 20 to 33 MW, depending on the air temperature. The unit can operate at outdoor temperatures as low as -20° Celsius, using CO2 as the natural refrigerant in a closed loop system. Powered by electricity from renewable-energy sources, the heat pump will utilize ambient air as a thermal energy source to increase the water temperature and meet the requirements of the district heating network. Annually, it will supply around 200 GWh of heat to around 30,000 households in Helsinki, reducing CO2 emissions by 26,000 tons.
Uwe Lauber, CEO of MAN Energy Solutions, said: “We are very proud to support Helen in their efforts to achieve carbon neutrality in Helsinki. Our heat pump technology provides an economically competitive and efficient way to harness climate-neutral heat from ambient air, even at cold temperatures of -20° Celsius. Urban district heating projects that utilize climate-neutral technologies, are essential for advancing global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. We are excited to see our heat pump solution play a key role in driving the energy transition forward.”
Juhani Aaltonen, VP, Green Investments at Helen, stated: “Helsinki has set the ambitious goal to become carbon neutral by 2030, and transitioning our heating system is crucial to achieving this. Once completed, the heat pump plant will significantly reduce the CO2 emissions caused by heating, bringing us closer to our net-zero target. In addition, the new plant is likely to create price stability for customers, as its production is easily adjustable.”
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