Key Takeaways
- Valmet is supplying an advanced automation system for Helen Ltd.’s air-to-water heat pump plant in Helsinki, aiming to enhance sustainable energy efforts.
- The heating plant will feature the world’s largest air-to-water heat pump, generating around 30 MW and expected to begin operations in the 2026-2027 heating season.
- This project is part of Helen Ltd.’s strategy to reduce CO2 emissions, ultimately transitioning away from combustion-based energy by 2040.
Innovative Automation for a Sustainable Future
Valmet is set to deliver a comprehensive automation system for Helen Ltd.’s Patola air-to-water heat pump plant and two electric boilers currently under construction in Helsinki, Finland. Once operational, this facility will be the largest of its kind in the world, with a heating production capacity of approximately 30 MW. The Valmet Distributed Control System (DCS) will play a critical role in ensuring efficient and flexible heat production while significantly reducing CO2 emissions. This innovative system will also stabilize heating costs for consumers in the Finnish capital.
Jari Maaranen, Engineering Manager at Helen Ltd., emphasized that this project strengthens their long-term energy strategy, facilitating reliable and sustainable district heating for future generations. The Valmet DCS enables optimal operation for both the heat pump and electric boilers, allowing for efficient responsiveness to varying heat demands.
Tom Bäckman, Senior Sales Manager at Valmet, expressed pride in delivering their advanced DCS to Helen. He noted that this innovative technology not only enhances control and monitoring capabilities for the electric boilers and heat pump plant but also aligns with broader goals of carbon-neutral energy solutions.
The Patola plant is designed to produce low-emission district heat, featuring an industrial-scale air-to-water heat pump and two 50 MW electric boilers. The heat pump utilizes outdoor air as a heat source and CO2 as a refrigerant, efficiently operating even in temperatures as low as -20 °C. Collectively, these installations are expected to produce over 500 GWh of heat annually, leading to an emission reduction of more than 56,000 tons. Production at the plant is anticipated to begin in the 2026-2027 heating season.
While the exact financial details of the Valmet order are not disclosed, it is included in the company’s fourth-quarter orders for 2025. The official transfer of the delivery is scheduled for March 2027.
In terms of technical specifications, the Valmet DCS will allow for comprehensive monitoring and control of the heating plant’s systems. It will also include the user-friendly Valmet DNAe User Interface, facilitating intuitive remote access to plant operations.
Valmet is committed to providing automation and energy management solutions tailored for heat pump facilities, ensuring that operations remain efficient, reliable, and sustainable. The integration of heat pumps, electric boilers, and thermal storage within the Valmet DNA system will effectively balance energy supply and demand, enhancing grid stability.
Helen Ltd. serves 600,000 customers in Finland, focusing on the provision of electricity, heating, cooling, and renewable energy solutions. The company is dedicated to sustainability, systematically working towards reducing emissions and aiming to eliminate combustion-based energy production by 2040.
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