The heat pump system in Helsinki will provide 200 GWh of thermal energy annually, capable of heating 30,000 households while reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 26,000 tons.
Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is constructing the largest heat pump in the world to heat 30,000 households during the winter while also reducing carbon emissions. This heat pump can operate in conditions as low as -20 degrees Celsius while relying solely on renewable energy, according to a report from Interesting Engineering on August 30.
The largest heat pump in the world installed in Helsinki, Finland. (Photo: MAN Energy Solutions).
District heating is a widely implemented mechanism to maximize energy efficiency. Authorities will centralize heat production and distribute it to each household and business through an underground piping network. This approach is being used in many cities around the world but often relies on fossil fuels for heat production.
According to the International Energy Agency, half of Finland’s energy for heating and cooling comes from biomass. While Helsinki aims for zero carbon emissions by the end of the decade, the city administration is upgrading its central heating system to consume a larger amount of energy from cleaner renewable sources.
“Helsinki has set an ambitious goal of zero carbon emissions by 2030, and transforming the heating system plays a key role in achieving that objective,” said Juhani Aaltonen, vice president of green energy investments at Helen Oy, the Finnish energy company operating the heating system.
Unlike heaters or air conditioners that perform well for a single season, heat pumps are more energy-efficient and can operate in all weather conditions. Heat pumps work on the simple principle of transferring heat from cooler areas to warmer ones, making the cooler places cooler and the warmer places warmer. The system achieves this by using electricity to raise the temperature from a low level to a higher usable level. While most heat pumps use harmful gas, the facility in Helsinki will use carbon dioxide as a refrigerant.
According to MAN Energy, the heat pump manufacturer, CO2 can provide hot water up to 90 degrees Celsius while operating at -20 degrees Celsius. The heat production capacity ranges from 20 to 33 MW, depending on the air temperature, making the facility the largest heat pump in the world. This setup is also unique because it uses an oil-free motor compressor. The compressor utilizes a high-speed motor and active bearings, allowing it to operate without a gas injection system or oil system.
The electricity used for the heat pump is sourced from renewable energy such as wind and solar power, shifting the heating demand away from fossil fuels to green energy. The heat pump, along with 50 MW boilers, will provide 200 GWh of thermal energy for 30,000 households in Helsinki each year, helping to reduce 26,000 tons of CO2 emissions. The heat pump is expected to start operating in 2026-2027, providing price stability for customers due to its easily adjustable production process.
