How will this technology change urban heating?

It's a city with icy winters. Helsinki is relying on a new heating solution: the largest air-to-water heat pump ever built.

In 2026, this ambitious project could represent a turning point for urban heating systems and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.

The Finnish capital will operate a heat pump that can operate down to -20 degrees Celsius and is designed to heat around 30,000 homes. The pump, installed by energy company Helen Oy, will use ambient air and renewable electricity to generate 200 gigawatt hours of heat per year.

This technology relies on the use of carbon dioxide.₂ As a refrigerant in a closed circuit, which reduces the environmental impact in the event of a leak. This device, manufactured by MAN Energy Solutions, is the first in the world in terms of size and efficiency. With the help of this heat pump, Helsinki hopes to reduce CO2₂– Emissions by 26,000 tonnes per year, an important step towards climate neutrality by 2030, according to Juhani Aaltonen, Head of Green Investments at Helen Oy.

The installation is also supported by a grant from the Finnish Ministry of Economy and Employment, a sign of the national commitment to promoting sustainable solutions. The heart of the system is a hermetic, oil-free compressor that operates without lubrication or dry gas seals. It allows for better energy efficiency and easily adapts to changes in demand.

For Uwe Lauber, CEO of MAN Energy Solutions, this heat pump represents progress towards the energy transition and is part of a global movement towards CO2-neutral heating technologies. With this project, Helsinki will become a large-scale laboratory for the future of urban heating. The integration of such a solution promises to stabilise energy prices and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

What is an air to water heat pump?

An air to water heat pump is a heating system that extracts heat from the outside air and transfers it to water in the heating network. It works even at low temperatures through a refrigeration cycle that uses a compressor to increase the temperature of the water.

Unlike conventional heating systems that use fossil fuels, air-to-water heat pumps use electricity, preferably from renewable sources. They are therefore an environmentally friendly and efficient solution for home heating and significantly reduce CO2 emissions.₂-Emissions.