MAN Energy Solutions to supply a 33 MW heat pump

MAN Energy Solutions to supply a 33 MW air-to-water heat pump unit to Helen Oy. The plant, which includes an industrial-scale heat pump and two 50 MW electric boilers, is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 56,000 metric tonnes.

MAN Energy Solutions will supply a 33 MW air-to-water heat pump unit to Finnish energy company Helen Oy for its Patola heating plant complex in Helsinki. The plant, which includes an industrial-scale heat pump and two 50 MW electric boilers, is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 56,000 tonnes.

MAN plans to build the world’s largest air-to-water heat pump plant, capable of producing 20MW to 33MW of heating power, depending on air temperature. The plant can operate at -20°C outdoor temperatures and deliver heat up to 90°C.

The MAN HOFIM compressor is an oil-free, hermetically-sealed unit, which will be manufactured and tested by MAN Energy Solutions in Zurich, Switzerland. The compression unit utilises a high-speed motor and active magnetic bearings, enabling it to operate without requiring a dry gas seal system and the complete oil system.

The new plant in Helsinki will provide 200GWh of heat annually to 30,000 households, reducing CO2 emissions by 26,000 tons and enabling rapid power-balancing through intermittent power generation like solar and wind.

Helsinki is aiming to become carbon neutral by 2030 by transitioning its heating system. The heat pump plant, once completed, will significantly reduce CO2 emissions and provide price stability for customers. Helen Oy’s VP of Green Investments, Juhani Aaltonen, believes the new plant will help achieve this goal.