Estanc’s Heat Exchanger for World’s Largest Air-to-Water Heat Pump Plant in Finland
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. Estanc set to manufacture the heat exchanger for the project.
The new heating plant, which includes the industrial-scale heat pump and two 50 MW electric boilers, is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by a total of 56,000 tons. Based on new technology, this air-to-water heat pump plant is the largest of its kind in the world, with full heating production capacity ranging from 20 to 33 MW, depending on the air temperature. The system can operate in outdoor temperatures as low as -20°C, using CO2 as the natural refrigerant in a closed-loop system. Powered by electricity from renewable energy sources, the heat pump will use ambient air as a thermal energy source to heat water and meet the requirements of the district heating network.
The heating plant complex, designed to drive Helsinki’s heat production toward carbon neutrality, is expected to be operational in the heating season of 2026/2027.
In an air-to-water heat pump plant, the heat exchanger plays a critical role in transferring thermal energy from the air to the water-based heating system. In large-scale heat pump plants, high-performance heat exchangers are essential to ensuring efficiency, reliability, and sustainability in renewable energy-based heating solutions.
By contributing to this groundbreaking project, Estanc reinforces its commitment to sustainable energy solutions, supporting the transition to cleaner, more efficient heating technologies that reduce environmental impact for future generations.
