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Helsinki
Energy
Challenge
Background material –
Heating system in Helsinki
energychallenge.hel.fi
www.hel.fi
Contents Helsinki Energy Challenge Glossary 3 Foreword 4 Executive summary 5 1 Introduction 7 1.1 Background 7 1.2 Heat demand and other natural circumstances in Helsinki 7 2 Heat consumption characteristics 10 2.1 Total energy and heat consumption in Helsinki 10 2.2 The annual profile of heat demand 12 2.3 Heat consumption drivers and their impact on demand 13 2.4 District heating customers 18 3 Current district heating system in Helsinki 19 3.1 Principles of district heating system design 19 3.2 District heating network in Helsinki 20 3.3 Current production capacity in Helsinki 22 4 Cost of district heat production 30 4.1 Cost components of district heating production 30 4.2 Comparison of district heating and some alternative heating methods 32 5 Regulation impacting the district heating sector 33 5.1 Regulation of district heating in Finland 33 5.2 Energy taxation 34 5.3 Policy impacting heat demand 34 5.4 Land use and permitting procedures 34 6 Further studies and data sources 37
Glossary Abbreviation Definition CAGR Compound annual growth rate Capex Capital expenditure CCGT Combined cycle gas turbine CHP Combined heat and power CO2 Carbon dioxide COP Coefficients of performance DH District heating DHC District heating and cooling DSO Distribution system operator EED Energy Efficiency Directive EPBD Energy performance of buildings EU European Union EU ETS EU Emissions Trading System GHG Greenhouse gas GSHP Ground source heat pump GT HP Geothermal heat pump GWh Gigawatt hours HFO Heavy fuel oil HOB Heat only boiler km Kilometre kWh Kilowatt hours LCOE Levelised cost of energy LFO Light fuel oil LULUCF Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry mm Millimetre MW Megawatt MWh Megawatt hours n. a. Not available Opex Operational expenditure RED Renewable Energy Directive RES Renewable energy source TWh Terawatt hours VAT Value added tax WACC Weighted average cost of capital 3 Helsinki Energy Challenge
Foreword This background report has been prepared by Pöyry Management Consulting Oy to support the Helsinki Energy Challenge organised by the City of Helsinki. Helsinki Energy Challenge is a global challenge competition that seeks to answer the question: How can we decarbonise the heating of Helsinki, using as little biomass as possible? 4 Helsinki Energy Challenge
Executive summary
Space and domestic hot water heating in Helsinki is
currently mostly based on the district heating system.
The heat production for the district heat system is based
on several energy sources and fuels, but coal is one of
the main sources. Due to Helsinki’s aim of being carbon-
neutral by 2035, as well as the banning of coal for energy
production purposes in Finland from 2029 onwards, new
solutions are needed to supply Helsinki’s heat demand.
The volume of district heat demand in 2024 followed by the second stage where
Helsinki is approximately 7 TWh, which is another coal CHP unit in Salmisaari is shut
about 20% of the total district heat demand down or converted to other fuels by 2029.
in Finland. Helsinki is located on the south Coal phase-out results the loss of a total
coast of Finland, and the population of the of 920 MW of heat production capacity and
city is concentrated in the coastal area. Due there is a need for a replacement of the
to the cold climate, heat demand is strongly capacity, particularly to ensure sufficient,
correlated to weather, and the capacity reliable capacity during cold winter periods.
needed to produce heat on cold winter days In heat production terms, this amounts to
is substantial. The volume, variation, and the some 3.5 TWh of heat.
location of the heat demand means that it Helen’s current plan for the first stage
has been challenging to find a replacement of replacements comprises a new biomass
for fossil fuels in Helsinki. Fossil fuels are heat-only boiler plant investment, increasing
mainly used in cogeneration of heat and elec- waste heat recovery and heat pump capacity,
tricity or in trigeneration of heating, cooling, geothermal heat, locality-level heating solu-
and electricity. Current district heating pro- tions, as well as increased heat procurement
duction by unit type and fuel use in Helsinki from the adjacent district heating networks
is presented in Figure 1. in Espoo and Vantaa.
Helen, the owner and operator of the In Finland, district heating business is not
district heat system in Helsinki, needs to re- directly regulated and customers are free
place its coal plants by 2029 at the latest due to select their own heating method and also
to the phase-out of coal regulation. In 2018, switch away from district heating. On the
Helen used some 6.5 TWh of coal, producing other hand, the change of heating method
both heat and electricity from it. Helen plans can require investments.
on implementing the coal phase-out in two In heating supply, there is an obligation to
stages, where the first stage involves the maintain high security of supply of heating
closure of a coal CHP plant in Hanasaari by during normal conditions as well as emer-
5 Helsinki Energy ChallengeFigure 1 District heat production by unit type and energy source in Helsinki, 2018.
DH production by unit type DH production by energy source
GWh 3% 1%
7 000
5 950
6 000 8%
Coal
5 000
Natural gas
4 000 53 % Heat pumps
35 %
3 000 Bio fuels
2 000 Fuel oil
1 000 580 630
40
0
CHP Heat pumps Heat boilers Purchased heat
Source: Finnish Energy (2019), Helen website
gency conditions, which is also to be taken
into account when considering new solutions.
Furthermore, the time requirements of land
use and permitting procedures need to be
considered. All of these aspects set challeng-
ing prerequisites for new solutions for the
replacement of coal in Helsinki.
6 Helsinki Energy Challenge1 Introduction 1.1 Background pellets) being used in the production of heat Helsinki’s goal is to be carbon-neutral by the in Helsinki in 2030. This corresponds to ap- year 2035. Currently, about 56% of Helsinki’s proximately 20% of all the biomass fractions carbon dioxide emissions originate from the used in the production of district heat in the production of energy used for heating. In whole Finland in 2018. order to reach the carbon-neutrality goal, Helsinki needs to reduce the emissions 1.2 Heat demand and other natural originating from the production of heat, in circumstances in Helsinki addition to other actions. The northern location of Helsinki means that In the densely populated Helsinki, the the temperature levels vary considerably main source of space heating and domestic and the heat demand is large in the winter hot water heating is district heating, with a months. Average temperature and precipita- share of around 92% of total heat demand. tion information at Helsinki Kaisaniemi (cen- The total district heat demand in Helsinki is tral Helsinki) is presented in Figure 3. about 7 TWh, which is approximately 20% Further temperature-related graphics of the entire district heat demand in Fin- can be found at the FMI webpage, with in- land. The location of Helsinki is presented in formation on other factors such as typical Figure 2. maximum and minimum temperature range In Helsinki, the city-owned energy com- as well as typical Helsinki snow depth1. pany Helen is in charge of the production, The heat demand can be measured in distribution, and sale of district heat. In 2018, heating degree days, a measurement quan- coal accounted for 53% of the district heat tifying the demand for energy needed to produced by Helen. Coal is used mainly in heat a building. It is the number of degrees cogeneration of power and heat and in tri- that a day’s average temperature is below generation, where power, heat, and cooling the temperature where buildings need to be is produced in one process. The coal-fired heated (17°Celsius in Finnish measurement). power plants are located in Hanasaari and On average, there were 3,878 heating degree Salmisaari close the city centre. The shut- days in Helsinki in the latest long-term refer- down of Hanasaari by 2024 has already been ence period 1981–2010. Table 1 summarises approved, and due to the Finnish govern- average heating degree days in Helsinki for ment’s decision to ban energy use of coal as each month during the reference period. of 2029, coal-based production in Salmisaari Annual heating degree days in the period of must also cease before 2029. The current 2008–2018 are depicted in Figure 4. During indicative plan to replace coal indicates that this period, the heating degree days in the a substantial part of current coal use would Helsinki area have been around 7% lower be replaced with biomass which could result than the reference period average. in up to 1.5–3 TWh of biomass (incl. biomass 1 Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI). Available at: https://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/climate 7 Helsinki Energy Challenge
Figure 2 Map of Finland and Helsinki.
Source: Pöyry HELSINKI INNOVATION CHALLENGE
Figure
Figure 3 3 – Average
Average precipitation
precipitation and temperature
and temperature information, 1960-2018, Helsinki
information,
Kaisaniemi
1960–2018, Helsinki measurement
Kaisaniemi measurementpoint
point.
90 20
80
15
70
Precipitation (mm)
Temperature (°C)
60 10
50
5
40
30 0
20
-5
10
0 -10
ril
ly
ay
ry
r
y
ch
er
st
ne
r
r
be
be
be
ar
Ju
Ap
gu
ua
ob
M
ar
Ju
nu
em
em
em
Au
br
M
ct
Ja
O
Fe
pt
ov
ec
Se
N
D
Monthly average precipitation (mm) Monthly average air temperature(°C)
Source: Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI)
Further temperature-related graphics can be found at the FMI webpage, with information on other
factors such as typical maximum and minimum temperature range as well as typical Helsinki snow
depth1.
The heat demand can be measured in heating degree days, a measurement quantifying the demand
for energy needed to heat a building. It is the number of degrees that a day's average temperature
is below the temperature where buildings need to be heated (17 °Celsius in Finnish measurement).
On average, there were 3 878 heating degree days in Helsinki in the latest long-term reference period
1981–2010. Table 1 summarises average heating degree days in Helsinki for each month during the
reference period. Annual heating degree days in the period of 2008–2018 are depicted in Figure 4.
During
8 this period,
Helsinki the heating degree days in the Helsinki area have been around 7 % lower than
Energy Challenge
the reference period average.HELSINKI INNOVATION CHALLENGE
Figure4 4Annual
Figure – Annual heating
heating degree
degree daysdays in Helsinki
in Helsinki in theinperiod
the period of 2008–2018
of 2008–2018.
Annual heating degree days
5 000
4 500 4376
3878 3797
4 000
3737 3589 3549
3 500
3244 3493 3592 3552
3 000 3464 3118
2 500
2 000
1 500
1 000
500
0
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Reference period average (1981-2010)
Annual heating degree days 2008-2018
2
Source: FMI
Source: FMI. More information and data regarding heating degree days in the 2010s can be found at:
https://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/heating-degree-days
Table 1 Monthly heating degree days in Helsinki, reference period 1981–2010.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Helsinki 647 612 566 383 153 11 1 12 125 316 464 588
Source: Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI).
2
More information and data regarding heating degree days in the 2010s can be found at the FMI
webpage at https://ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/lammitystarveluvut
PÖYRY MANAGEMENT CONSULTING September 2019
6
9 Helsinki Energy Challenge2 Heat consumption
characteristics
2.1 Total energy and heat months and within each day. These differenc-
consumption in Helsinki es are described in more detail in Section 2.2.
Heat consumption represents half (50.5%) The normalised total energy consumption
of the total energy consumption in Helsinki in the city of Helsinki was ca. 13.8 TWh in
and is in the range of ca. 7 TWh in a year. 2017, where the heating consumption has
This corresponds to ca. 20% of Finland’s been temperature-normalised by a rolling
heating demand. District heating, consumed five-year average. In the same year, the
electricity and transport represent 95% of actual measured energy consumption was
the total energy consumption in Helsinki. The slightly higher: ca.INNOVATION
HELSINKI 14.0 TWh.CHALLENGE
The historical
normalised energy consumption shares in development of the heat demand in Helsinki
Helsinki in 2017 are illustrated in more detail is shown in Figure 6.
2. HEAT CONSUMPTION CHARACTERISTICS
in Figure 5. The share of district heating of the total
2.1The annual
Total energy and heat consumption inconsumption
demand of energy for heat- heat Helsinki in Helsinki has been stable
ing has been normalised in the figure, as at around 92% during past decades. Oil and
Heat consumption represents half (50.5 %) of the total energy consumption in Helsinki and is in the
described
range of ca. in Section
7 TWh in a 1.2. InThis
year. addition to the to ca. 10
corresponds electric heatingheating
% of Finland’s represent the remaining
demand. District ca.
yearly
heating,differences, the heatand
consumed electricity consumption
transport represent 8%95 % ofofthe
theheat
totaldemand.
energy consumption in
Helsinki.
and need The normalised
also energy consumption
varies significantly betweenshares in Helsinki in 2017 are illustrated in more detail
in Figure 5.
Figure 5 – Total energy consumption* in Helsinki, 2017, GWh
Figure 5 Total energy consumption in Helsinki, 2017, GWh.
114
2 734
Total 6 412
13 796 GWh
3 977
331 229
District heating Oil heating Electricity heating
Consumed electricity Transport Industry and implements
*Normalised heat demand
Source: Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority HSY at Helsinki Region Infoshare
Source: Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority (HSY) at Helsinki Region Infoshare
The annual demand of energy for heating has been normalised in the above figure, as described in
Section 1.2. In addition to the yearly differences, the heat consumption and need also varies
10 Helsinki
significantly Energy Challenge
between months and within each day. These differences are described in more detail in
Section 2.2.HELSINKI INNOVATION CHALLENGE
Figure 6 6
Figure Heat consumption
– Heat development
consumption in Helsinki,
development 2000–2017,
in Helsinki, GWh. GWh
2000-2017,
8 000
7 000
6 000
5 000
GWh
4 000
3 000
2 000
1 000
0
00
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
District heating Oil heating Electricity heating
Source: Helsinki
Source: Helsinki Region
Region Environmental
EnvironmentalServices
ServicesAuthority
AuthorityHSY at Helsinki
(HSY) Region
at Helsinki Infoshare
Region Infoshare
The share of district heating of the total heat consumption in Helsinki has been stable at around 92 %
during past decades. Oil and electric heating represent the remaining ca. 8 % of the heat demand.
Electric
Mainly heating
due toalso
cityincludes
growth,ground-source
the normalised and exhaust-air heat pumps.inOver
energy consumption 2017.the years,
The electric
detailed
heating has steadily increased its market share, whereas the share of oil heating has slowly
heat demand in Helsinki has increased
decreased. numbers are presented in Figure 7.
during 2000–2017 by a CAGR of 0.48%, Most of the energy consumption in Hel-
The construction of the Helsinki district heating network started in the 1950s, and larger properties
which corresponds to 548 GWh. However, in sinki is utilised in the heating of buildings and
like housing companies and apartment buildings are connected to the district heating network. The
the currentdistrict
city-owned decade (2010–2017),
heating companyheatHelende- providing
is the main electricity
heat provider in the tocityhousing,
as well as services, and
the biggest
mand has started decreasing with a CAGR of industry. Space heating corresponds
district heating producer and distributor in Finland. Helen’s network consists of ca. 1 300 km of district to ca.
heating (245
−0.58% pipeline.
GWh). 70%, and hot water to ca. 15% of all energy
It can
Mainly duealready
to city be seenthe
growth, that the heat de-
normalised heat demanduseininHelsinki
an average building. This
has increased duringis 2000–2017
the reason
mand per citizen
by a CAGR of 0.48has decreased
%, which by 0.6toMWh
corresponds 548 GWh.forHowever,
looking more
in the closely at the building
current decade sector
(2010–2017),
heat
in demand has started decreasing with a CAGR ofin−0.58%
17 years. Helsinki(245 GWh).to better understand the
in order
In the
It can longbe
already term,
seenit that
is expected that theper citizen
the heat demand demand development
has decreased by 0.6for the in
MWh heating sector.
17 years. The
total heat consumption
oil heating demand per citizen will further
has alsodecline
decreased, butThisthis
is is
discussed in more detail
partially explained in Section
by oil heating 2.3.
being
replaced
mostly duewithtoother
energy heating methods.
efficiency Electric heating demand
measures per citizensplit
The consumption has started to decline
of district heatingin
this decade
and the impactas well.
of climate change. The City of by consumer type in Helsinki in 2017 is illus-
In the long
Helsinki hasterm, it is expected
performed a studythat the future
of the total heat trated
consumption
in Figurewill 8.
further
It candecline
be seen mostly due to
that the
climate change and energy efficiency
of district heating in Helsinki. The study con- measures. The City of Helsinki has performed
residential customer segment forms the a study of larg-
the
future of district heating in Helsinki. The study concludes that district heating demand will drop from
cludes that district heating demand will drop 7 est demand, with a share of ca. 62%. Other
6 331 GWh in 2015 to 4 873–5 317 GWh in 2035 . The demand drivers and their impact on heat
from 6,331 GWh in 2015 to 4,873–5,317 GWh
demand will be discussed in more detail in Section 2.2.
sectors, which include different municipal
in 20352. The demand drivers and their buildings in e.g. health care and educational
Considering
impact on heatthe energy
demand consumer groups in Helsinki
will be discussed in as a whole,
facilities, asitwell
is noted that housing
as other purposes andsuch
services
as
covered almost 92 % of the total energy consumption in 2017. The detailed numbers are presented
more detail
in Figure 7. in Section 2.3. offices and commercial buildings, represent
Considering the energy consumer groups ca. one third (34%) of the demand. Industry’s
in Helsinki as a whole, it is noted that housing share is ca. 4% of the total district heating
and services covered almost 92% of the total demand.
27 City of Helsinki (2018).The Carbon Neutral Action Plan. Available at: https://www.hel.fi/static/liitteet/
Hiilineutraali Helsinki 2035 -toimenpideohjelma, City of Helsinki 2019
kaupunkiymparisto/julkaisut/julkaisut/HNH-2035/Carbon_neutral_Helsinki_Action_Plan_1503019_EN.pdf
PÖYRY MANAGEMENT CONSULTING September 2019
11 Helsinki Energy Challenge 9HELSINKI INNOVATION CHALLENGE
Figure 7 – Total energy consumption in Helsinki per sector, 2017, GWh
Figure 7 Total energy consumption in Helsinki per sector, 2017, GWh.
1 178
Total
13 796 GWh 7 049
5 569
HELSINKI INNOVATION CHALLENGE
Housing Services Industry
Source: Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority HSY at Helsinki Region Infoshare
Source: Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority (HSY) at Helsinki Region Infoshare
Figure 8 – Use of district heating by user type in 2017 in the district heating
network
Most of the energy in Helsinki
consumption in Helsinki is utilised in the heating of buildings and providing
electricity
Figure to housing,
8 Use services,
of district andbyindustry.
heating Space
user type andinhot
in 2017 thewater heating
district correspond
heating networktoin
ca. 70 %
Helsinki.
and ca. 15 % of all the energy used in an average building, respectively. This is the reason for looking
more closely at the building sector in Helsinki in order to better understand the demand development
for the heating sector. This is discussed in more detail in Section 2.2.
The consumption split of district heating in Helsinki in 2017 is illustrated in Figure 8. It can be seen
that the residential customer segment forms the largest demand, with a share of ca. 62 %. Other
2 246
sectors, which include different municipal buildings in e.g. health care and educational facilities, as
well as other purposes such as offices and commercial buildings, represent ca. one third (34 %) of
the demand. Industry’s share is ca. 4 % of the total
Totaldistrict heating demand.
6 606 GWh
4 072
288
Residential Industry Other
Source:
Source: Finnish Energy
Energy (2018)
2.2
2.2 The The
annual profileprofile
annual of heatof
demand
heat demand
variation. The heat demand during July is
Heat demand is strongly dependent on out- mostly attributable to domestic hot water. An
Heat demand is strongly dependent on outdoor temperature and therefore demand has a systematic
door temperature and therefore demand has example
seasonal profile. Heat energy is primarily used for two purposes: of the annual heat demand
space heating and hotprofile in
water.
aDemand
systematic seasonal profile. Heat energy is Helsinki is depicted in Figure 9.
for space heating varies according to outdoor temperatures and is therefore considered to
primarily used for two purposes:
be weather-dependent, space heat-
while the demand for domesticThe hot typical
water does average monthly
not change heat loaddue
appreciably
to weather variation. The heat demand during
ing and hot water. Demand for space heating July is mostly attributable to domestic
in the Helsinki network is presented hot water.
in An
example of the annual heat demand profile
varies according to outdoor temperatures, in Helsinki is depicted in Figure 9.
Figure 10 for each month of the year. It is
while the demand for domestic hot water evident that there is a significant variation in
Figure
does 9 – Typical
not change annualdue
appreciably heat
todemand
weather profile heatindemand
Helsinki between seasons, thus requir-
PÖYRY MANAGEMENT CONSULTING September 2019
MW 10
3 000
12 Helsinki Energy Challenge
2 500ing that the heat production fleet be able to begins to increase at around 6 AM and is
maintain sufficient supply, especially during primarily a result of increased hot water
the cold winter months. consumption in the mornings as well as due
Heat demand also varies significantly to ventilation systems in offices and commer-
within a month, due to variance in weather cial buildings typically turning on a couple of
conditions. This is shown in Figure 11, where hours before full occupancy. Similarly to the
the typical range between the maximum and monthly variation, this requires that the dis-
minimum heat load within each month is pre- trict heating system be capable of changing
sented as a bar. The variance in heat demand heat supply levels in a flexible manner.
is greater in the coldest months. This requires
that the district heating production fleet be 2.3 Heat consumption drivers
flexible enough that the production capacity and their impact on demand
is able to meet the heat load at every moment. Heat demand in Helsinki has been increasing
As is typical for district heating systems, peak due to the growth of the city, while at the
heat demand is currently met by separate same time improving energy efficiency is
peak load boilers in the Helsinki district heat- driving demand down. The main drivers for
ing network. the future demand for heating include urban-
Heat demand in the Helsinki network also isation and population development, energy
follows a somewhat systematic daily profile, efficiency, and climate change. These factors
which is a result of large consumer masses are discussed in more detail in Table 2.
having similar consumption profiles. Figure
12 presents an example of hourly demand for
heat for an average day in January. The daily
profile has an increasing trend in the morn-
ing and declines in the evening. Consumption
Figure 9 Helsinki district heat demand profile in 2016 (MW).
MW
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Source: Helen, https://www.helen.fi/en/company/responsibility/current-topics/open-data
13 Helsinki Energy ChallengeFigure 10 Average monthly heat load in Helsinki network in 2016 (MW).
MW
2000
1740
1800
1600
1400 1230 1260 1260
1160
1200
1000 870 890
800
600 450
430
360 320
400 290
200
0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Figure 11 Range of maximum and minimum monthly heat load in 2016 (MW).
MW
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Figure 12 Average hourly heat demand in Helsinki DH network for a day in January (MW).
MW
1850
1800
1750
1700
1650
1600
1550
1500
1450
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Source: Pöyry analysis, Helen, https://www.helen.fi/en/company/responsibility/current-topics/open-data
14 Helsinki Energy ChallengeTable 2 Drivers impacting heat volume development in the long run.
Effect on
Volume driver demand Description
Population ↑ An increase in population will drive new building activity and heat
development volume demand. The capital region is expecting strong growth in
the near and long term, which will impact heat demand.
Urbanisation ↑ Populations are moving from rural environments to towns and
from towns to cities. It also increases the density of building
stock. Helsinki and the capital region are one of the areas where
urbanisation focuses.
Energy ↓ Energy efficiency is high on the agenda for the EU, and also for
efficiency Finland. A number of policy measures have been integrated into
the way buildings are planned, constructed, and renovated in or-
der to meet energy efficiency targets. Although renovations are
often not undertaken solely for energy efficiency reasons, grad-
ually renovating the current building stock with more modern
materials and solutions will improve energy efficiency. Building
regulations also require energy efficiency improvements when
major renovations are carried out. New buildings are built under
more strict building codes and are more energy efficient than old
buildings.
Climate ↓ Ambient temperature is one of the main drivers of demand for
change heating, with cold winters increasing demand. Climate projec-
tions suggest that average temperatures will increase in the
future resulting in lower heat demand.
Source: Pöyry analysis
15 Helsinki Energy ChallengeFigure 13 – Population development forecast, Helsinki
Figure 13 Population development forecast, Helsinki.
800 000
700 000
2014-2040
600 000 CAGR +0.8%
Number of population
500 000
400 000
300 000
200 000
100 000
0
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
2033
2034
2035
2036
2037
2038
2039
2040
Source: Statistics Finland
It is expected that the population of Helsinki will continue growing in the coming decades with a
CAGR of 0.8 % (2014–2040).
The population in HelsinkiIn
is 2040, Statistics Finland
growing, estimates
not used that the
in Finland population
directly of Helsinki will
in building-level
be ca. 759 000, which corresponds to ca.
which has an increasing impact on the heat 22 % increase in comparison to the 2014 level.
boilers, but only as a fuel in district heating.
demand.
Population The historical
growth population develop-
and urbanisation Ground-source
are strongly connected. Buildingheat pumps
activity (GSHP)reflects
especially are the
urbanisation
ment as well into citypopulation
as the centres, where the district heating
development network
popular is located.
especially in theIndetached
Helsinki, the number
housing
of buildings
outlook has steadily
is presented risen during
in Figure 13. the past years.segment,
In 2017 there werein
whereas 43apartment
213 buildings in Helsinki
buildings
8
(2013–2017 CAGR
It is expected that0.84
the %) with new
population of buildings primarily being apartment
district heating is the most buildings.
popularDue to the
heating
expected population growth (Figure 13), a similar trend may be expected in the future.
Helsinki will continue growing in the coming solution.
The number
decades withofanew
CAGRbuildings
of 0.8%built in the 2010s, by heating
(2014–2040). Newsource and building
and existing purpose,
building stockisvaries
presented
in
in 2040,
In FigureStatistics
14. It can Finland
clearly be seen thatthat
estimates wood-, oil-, its
andheat
gas-heating
consumptionare almost non-existentthis
characteristics; in new
buildings. Coal is not used in Finland directly in building-level boilers, but only as a fuel in district
the population of Helsinki will be ca. 759,000, is strongly driven by energy efficiency reg-
heating. Ground-source heat pumps (GSHP) are popular especially in the detached housing
which
segment,corresponds
whereas into ca. 22% buildings
apartment increase district
in ulation,
heating including
is the nationalheating
most popular building codes as
solution.
comparison to the 2014 level well as local renovation guidelines (Helsinki
Building activity especially reflects the near-zero energy building code, HEnZEB).
urbanisation into city centres, where the Energy efficiency impacts the existing build-
district heating network is located. In Hel- ing stock through renovations. New buildings
sinki, the number of buildings has steadily are per se already more energy efficient due
risen during the past years. In 2017 there to better building material and techniques, for
were 43,000 buildings in Helsinki (2013–2017 example in insulation. The age structure of
CAGR 0.84%)3 with new buildings primar- buildings in Helsinki is illustrated in Figure 15.
ily being apartment buildings. Due to the It can be seen that the older building stock is
expected population growth (Figure 13), a mostly located in the centre of Helsinki.
similar trend may be expected in the future. In addition, temperature is an important
The number of new buildings built in the driver of heating volumes, and increasing
2010s, by heating source and building pur- outside temperatures in Finland is expected
pose, is presented in Figure 14. It can clearly to have a negative impact on the heat de-
be seen that wood-, oil-, and gas-heating are mand. At the same time, demand for cooling
almost non-existent in new buildings. Coal is may increase.
8
Statistics Finland, Paavo database based on postal code areas
3 Statistics Finland. Paavo database based on postal code areas. Available at: https://www.stat.fi/tup/paavo/
index_en.html
PÖYRY MANAGEMENT CONSULTING September 2019
15
16 Helsinki Energy ChallengeHELSINKI INNOVATION CHALLENGE
Figure 14 – Floor space of new buildings in Helsinki from 2010 onwards, by
Figure 14 Floor space
heating of new buildings in Helsinki from 2010 onwards, by heating source.
source
3 500 000
3 000 000
2 500 000
Floor space (m2)
2 000 000
1 500 000
1 000 000
500 000
0
District Oil, gas Electricity Coal Wood, peat GSHP Other and
heating unknown
Detached houses Row houses Apartment buildings Industrial buildings
Office buildings Commercial buildings Other buildings HELSINKI INNOVATION CHALLENGE
Note: other buildings include e.g. municipal buildings in education, fire department, and assembly functions, as well as other
buildings such as warehouses
Source: Statistics Finland
Figure 15 – Age structure of Helsinki buildings on a map
New and existing building stock varies in its heat consumption characteristics; this is strongly driven
by energy efficiency regulation, including national building codes as well as local renovation
guidelines (Helsinki near-zero energy building code, HEnZEB). Energy efficiency impacts the existing
building
Figure 15stock through renovations. New buildings are per se already more energy efficient due to
better building material and techniques, for example in insulation. The age structure of buildings in
Age structure of in Figure 15. It can be seen that the older building stock is mostly located in the
Helsinki is illustrated
centre of Helsinki.
Helsinki buildings
on a map.1
1 More information
about the Helsinki
building stock,
ownership etc.
is compiled in
city-maintained
archives, registers
and statistics avail-
able at: https://
PÖYRY MANAGEMENT CONSULTING September 2019
www.hel.fi/helsinki/
en/housing/plots- 16
land-buildings/
building-stock
Note: the map also includes other capital region cities
Note: the map does not include very small buildings (smaller than 10 m²) or shelters, sheds, and other such building types
without a building code
Source: Urban Environment Division; City Survey Services; at Helsinki Region Infoshare
In addition, temperature is an important driver of heating volumes, and increasing outside
temperatures in Finland is expected to have a negative impact on the heat demand. At the same
17 Helsinki Energy Challenge
time, demand for cooling may increase. In smaller apartments, this may increase the attractiveness
of heat pumps and also drive district heating companies to increasingly offer cooling solutions to their
clients.2.4 District heating customers ers are not directly customers. For example
Customers are connected to district heating in the case of apartment buildings, the hous-
via heat exchangers which transfer heat from ing company is the district heating customer
the network to building heating systems. instead of the individual inhabitants. Within a
Buildings typically have two heat exchangers: property, like an apartment building, heating
one for space heating i.e. serving the radiator costs are typically distributed based on the
network and one for domestic hot water. dwelling’s square meters and dwelling-spe-
Meters are used to measure the capacity cific heat measurement is only rarely used in
requirement as well as heat consumption, Finland.
based on district heating water flows and Due to individual end-users not being
temperature differences. Remote metering directly district heating customers and lack
is already the industry standard in district of user-specific measurements, demand
heating. In remote metering, the consump- response is not yet widespread.
tion information is collected centrally in a Private housing companies represent a
data system. New remote meters are usually large share of district heating customers,
hourly-based, but older meters may be where building ownership is allocated to the
based on daily or monthly consumption. dwelling owners. Changing heating solution,
District heating customers are billed or other significant changes to the heating
based on customer-specific heat consump- system, in such buildings requires the major-
tion metering, but in many cases the end-us- ity vote of shareholders.
18 Helsinki Energy Challenge3 Current district heating
system in Helsinki
3.1 Principles of district The current production system is de-
heating system design signed so that each unit has its own role in
District heating systems are formed of the the production mix and that there are no
heat transfer network, heat production units, overlapping production units. In the summer
and the heat users with heat exchangers time, the city-owned energy company Helen
(described in the previous chapter). District is able to produce large amount of the heat
heat production units are designed so that demand with heat pumps. On the other hand,
there is sufficient capacity available with during the winter period more expensive and
reliable production to meet the heat demand in current situation, also more emission-in-
all time, also during the coldest winter peri- tensive production is needed.
ods. In case of the Helsinki district heating District heating company is obliged to
network, the design temperature the system deliver heat to its customers at all times
needs to meet is −26°C. based on their demand, and the production
mix needs to ensure high security of supply.
Figure 16 Map of Helsinki district heating network.
Source: Helen
19 Helsinki Energy ChallengeB&'8%5* .]* Z*
HELSINKI INNOVATION CHALLENGE
Figure 18 18
Figure Heat production
– Heat units and
production capacities
units in Helsinki
and capacities DH network.
in Helsinki DH network
MW heat
2500
100
90
2000
1005
1500
1000 600
915
500
730
190
0
Cogeneration Heat only
Coal Natural gas
Fuel oil Pellet
Heat pumps
Source: Pöyry analysis, based on Finnish Energy (2018) and Helen website
Data source: Finnish Energy 2018, Helen website, Pöyry analysis
son. The temperature level of the network is Helsinki is located in the capital area of
primarily defined by the requirements and Finland with Espoo and Vantaa as its neigh-
dimensioning of customer heating systems. bouring cities (see Figure 17). Both Espoo
Building stock in Helsinki can be character- and Vantaa have their own district heating
ised as rather old where heating systems networks with total heat production capaci-
require high supply temperatures. Conse- ties of 1,500 MW and 1,000 MW, respectively.
quently, heating systems in new buildings The district heating system in Espoo is
are dimensioned to the prevailing network operated by Fortum, and the Vantaa district
temperature levels. High supply temperature heating system by Vantaan Energia. The
is also required due to heat losses in the large district heat production capacity of Vantaa
network where heat is distributed long dis- includes also a waste-to-energy plant, which
tances. According to Helen, the company has utilises mixed waste from Helsinki region and
been able to lower the network mean tem- the Uusimaa province as a fuel for heat and
peratures and is looking into further possibili- electricity production.
ties for achieving lower temperature levels.4 These heat networks are connected to
Heat demand is greater in the densely the Helsinki district heat network through
populated city centre area than the eastern heat exchanger stations. The heat exchanger
part of the network. Currently a large district station between Helsinki and Espoo is locat-
heat tunnel is used to deliver heat from the ed in Northwest Helsinki, and has a capacity
Vuosaari B plant to the main network. of 120 MW. The heat exchanger stations
4 Helen website, available in Finnish: https://www.helen.fi/yritys/vastuullisuus/ajankohtaista/blogi/2018/
lampomarkkinat
PÖYRY MANAGEMENT CONSULTING September 2019
21 Helsinki Energy Challenge
21between Helsinki and Vantaa are located in saari and two gas CHP plants in Vuosaari,
Northwest and Northeast Helsinki, and have amounting to a total district heating capacity
capacities of 50 MW and 80 MW, respectively. of 1,330 MW. These CHP plants are operat-
The heat exchangers enable utilising heat ed as base load units to cover the majority
production from another network as an of the annual heat demand in the Helsinki
additional heat source in the Helsinki district network. In addition, the DH system includes
heating network, and selling excess heat to a new pellet boiler in Salmisaari, heat pump
other networks. installations in Katri Vala, and various coal-,
gas-, and oil-fuelled heat boilers utilised for
3.3 Current production peak load supply and as back-up capaci-
capacity in Helsinki ty. Heat-only production units amount to
District heat production in the Helsinki net- 2,500 MW of total district heating capacity.
work is primarily based on coal- and gas-fu- The production fleet is spread throughout
elled cogeneration (CHP) and supported the Helsinki region, with a focus on the cen-
by a fleet of smaller heat-only production tral city area and the Vuosaari plant (Fig-
units. The system is founded on two coal ure 18). Peak load boilers are located within a
CHP plants located in Salmisaari and Hana- further radius of the city centre, as they are
Table 3 Summary of heat production units in Helsinki network.
Commissioning Heat capacity
Unit Unit type Main fuel year (MW)
CHP units
Salmisaari B CHP Coal 1984 300
Hanasaari B CHP Coal 1974 430
Vuosaari A CHP – CCGT Natural gas 1991 170
Vuosaari B CHP – CCGT Natural gas 1998 430
Heat boilers
Salmisaari HOB Pellet 2018 90
Salmisaari HOB Coal 1986 190
Hanasaari HOB Heavy fuel oil 2009 280
Vuosaari HOB Natural gas 1989 120
Alppila HOB Light fuel oil 1964 165
Munkkisaari HOB Heavy fuel oil 1969 235
Ruskeasuo HOB Heavy fuel oil 1972 280
Lassila HOB Natural gas 1977 325
Patola HOB Natural gas 1982 230
Jakomäki HOB Heavy fuel oil 1968 45
Myllypuro HOB Natural gas 1978 240
Katri Vala Heat pump - 2006 100
Total heat capacity 3,630
Source: Pöyry analysis, based on Finnish Energy (2018) and Helen website
22 Helsinki Energy ChallengeHELSINKI INNOVATION CHALLENGE
Figure 19 19
Figure Heat production
– Heat capacities
production and monthly
capacities peak loads
and monthly in Helsinki.
peak loads in Helsinki
Peak (oil and gas)
Heat pump
4000 MW Pellet
Natural gas
Coal
3500
3000
Peak boilers 2285 MW
2500
2000
1500 Katri Vala heat pump 100 MW
Salmisaari HOB 90 MW
Vuosaari CHP-CCGT 430 MW
1000
Vuosaari CHP-CCGT 170 MW
500 Hanasaari CHP 430 MW
Salmisaari CHP 300 MW
0
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Helen capacity
Source: Pöyry analysis, Energy Finland 2018, Helen website
Source: Pöyry analysis, based on Finnish Energy (2018) and Helen website
3.3.1.1 CHP plants and heat-only boilers in Helsinki
often required to compensate for the tem-
Hanasaari of two identical units, each having their own
perature losses in supply water distributed boilers and turbines. The plant was com-
The Hanasaari
from the main site is located
heating on the
sources city centre
in city centre.coastmissioned
and comprises theand
in 1974 Hanasaari
has 430 B CHP
MW ofplant
heatand
a separate heat centre used for peak capacity. Hanasaari B is a back-pressure CHP plant that
A summary
consists of twoof identical
the Helsinkiunits,DHeach
network capacity
having their and 220
own boilers andMW of powerThe
turbines. capacity
plant inwas
heat production units is presented in Table 3. total. The plant uses
commissioned in 1974 and has 430 MW of heat capacity and 220 MW of power capacity in total. coal as its main fuel,The
Theuses
plant totalcoal
production
as its main system capacity
fuel, into which of into which
small shares of biomasssmallpellets
shares areofblended.
biomassHelen
pelletshas
the
takenHelsinki production
the decision to shutfleet
downinthe plant by 202411.are
comparison blended.
Currently, theHelen
plant ishas taken the
operated decision
year-round with
to 12 the plant by 20245. Currently,
themonthly
exception peak
of aheat demandbreak
maintenance is presented to shut
during the summer down
season . The heat centre in the Hanasaari
in Figure 19. 6Coal-fired unitswhich
Salmisaari B, a totalthe plantheating
is operated year-round 13 the
site includes fuel oil boilers constitute district capacity of 280 MWwith .
Hanasaari A, and gas-fired units Vuosaari A exception of a maintenance break during the
Salmisaari
and B cover most of the heat demand during summer season. The heat centre in the Hana-
the winter season.
Salmisaari is locatedIt onis evident that the
the coastline phas- city
of Helsinki saari site and
centre, includes 6 fuel
the main oil boilers
production which
asset of the
ing
site out ofSalmisaari
is the coal-fired Bcapacity
CHP plant.in Hanasaari
Salmisaari B constitute a total
B is a back-pressure CHPdistrict
plant withheating
300 MW capacity of
of district
heating
and capacity B
Salmisaari and 160leaves
units MW of apower production capacity.
significant 280 MW6. It uses coal and a small share of biomass
pellets
gap as fuel
in heat sources. The
production unit was
capacity thatcommissioned
needs in 1984 and has approximately 10 years of its
technical lifetime left14.
to be replaced. Salmisaari. Salmisaari is located on the
coastline of Helsinki city centre, and the main
CHP plants and heat-only boilers in Helsinki production asset of the site is the Salmisaari
Hanasaari. The Hanasaari site is located B CHP plant. Salmisaari B is a back-pressure
on the city centre coast and comprises the CHP plant with 300 MW of district heating
Hanasaari
11 B CHPAvailable
Helen website. plant and at:a separate heat capacity and 160 MW of power production
centre used for peak capacity. Hanasaari B capacity. It uses coal and a small share of
https://www.helen.fi/yritys/energia/energiantuotanto/voimalaitokset/hanasaari/
is
12 a back-pressure CHP plant that consists
Pöyry analysis – based on data available from Finnish biomass
Energypellets as fuel sources.
(Kaukolämpötilasto The unit was
2017)
13
Helen website. Available at: https://www.helen.fi/globalassets/helen-oy/tietoa-
5yrityksesta/energiantuotanto/turvallisuustiedote_hanasaari_.pdf
Helen website. Available at: https://www.helen.fi/en/company/energy/energy-production/power-plants/
14 hanasaari-power-plant
Pöyry 2018, Kivihiilen kieltotyö. Available at
6https://tem.fi/documents/1410877/2132296/Selvitys_++Kivihiilen+kielt%C3%A4misen+vaikutukset/
Helen website. Available in Finnish at: https://www.helen.fi/globalassets/helen-oy/tietoa-yrityksesta/energiantuotan-
8fb510b4-cfa3-4d9f-a787-0a8a4ba23b5f/Selvitys_++Kivihiilen+kielt%C3%A4misen+vaikutukset.pdf
to/turvallisuustiedote-hanasaari.pdf
PÖYRY MANAGEMENT CONSULTING September 2019
23 Helsinki Energy Challenge
23commissioned in 1984 and has approximately Vuosaari A started operation in 1991 and has
10 years of its technical lifetime left7. 170 MW of heating capacity and 150 MW of
According to company management inter- power production capacity. Vuosaari B was
views8, Helen has made considerable invest- commissioned in 1998 and is considerably
ments in recent years in the modernisation larger than the A-unit, having 430 MW of heat
of the plant in order to prolong its technicaland 450 MW of power capacity.
lifetime. Thus the plant would most probably Both units are CCGT (combined cycle gas
have techno-economical lifetime remaining turbine) plants and each comprises two gas
when the ban of coal use in energy produc- turbine units which feed steam though one
tion comes into effect in Finland in May 2029.steam turbine. The main fuel of both plants
The current boiler has a technical limit of a is natural gas. The units are equipped with
maximum share of 5–10% of pellet mixed auxiliary cooling, meaning that the units
with coal, and would require considerable can maintain electricity production, even
investments to convert the plant to utilise at instances of lower DH demand, by using
other fuel sources8. sea water to cool the steam. However, the
The Salmisaari CHP unit is currently oper-units are primarily operated in combined
ated almost throughout the year. During the heat and power production. The site also
summer season when district heat demand includes a heat-only plant, comprising three
is low, the excess heat produced in the plant 40 MW boilers that use natural gas as main
is utilised in the production of district cooling
fuel source. This back-up plant was commis-
via an absorption cooling unit instead of di- sioned in 1989.
recting this heat to sea water8. This produc- The merit order, i.e. the order in which the
tion process is also known as trigeneration, plants are operated when not all capacity is
where heat generated in CHP production is needed, is based on market conditions. In
used to generate district cooling. recent years the Vuosaari CHP units have
The Salmisaari site also includes a 190 MWoften been positioned after the Salmisaari
coal boiler (Salmisaari A, commissioned in and Hanasaari coal CHP units in the merit
1986), and a new 90 MW pellet boiler (com- order due to market conditions i.e. fuel and
missioned in 2018). Salmisaari A has seen electricity wholesale prices as well as fuel
low utilisation in the recent years due to thetaxation and CO2 prices9.
high cost of utilising coal in heat only produc- The CCGT units have higher power-to-heat
tion. Furthermore, the boiler will be reachingratios and therefore produce more electric-
the end of its technical lifetime in the late ity per one unit of heat produced compared
2020’s. The new pellet boiler started opera- to Salmisaari and Hanasaari coal CHP plants.
tion in 2018 and is primarily used to replace Thus as the electricity market prices have
the use of oil and gas in peak load demand. been relatively low in the recent years, the
Vuosaari units have been used to mainly
Vuosaari. The Vuosaari production site is complement Hanasaari and Salmisaari when
located 15 km northeast of the Helsinki city their capacity does not cover the entire heat
centre and includes two gas-fired CHP plants, demand or when electricity prices are high
Vuosaari A and B, as well as one heat-only enough.
plant for back-up and peak load capacity.
7 Pöyry (2018). Kivihiilen kieltotyö. Available in Finnish at:https://tem.fi/documents/1410877/2132296/Selvi-
tys_++Kivihiilen+kielt%C3%A4misen+vaikutukset/8fb510b4-cfa3-4d9f-a787-0a8a4ba23b5f/Selvitys_++Kivi-
hiilen+kielt%C3%A4misen+vaikutukset.pdf
8 Helen website. Available in Finnish at: https://www.helen.fi/globalassets/helen-oy/tietoa-yrityksesta/energiantuotan-
to/salmisaari_turvallisuustiedote_2017.pdf
9 Pöyry analysis, based on operational data from Finnish Energy (2018)
24 Helsinki Energy ChallengeCharacteristic to CCGT technology is tion capacity that is online does not cover the
that the units have fast ramp-up times and entire demand. Therefore heat accumulators
such plants are more flexible to operate provide flexibility to the district heating sys-
compared to coal CHP units. Flexibility in tem and allow more economical and environ-
this context refers to the ability to operate mentally-friendly district heating production,
the units at varying output levels. The ramp- as storage units are typically dispatched to
up time for Vuosaari A when cold started is avoid the start-up of peak load boilers.
approximately 6.5 hours10. There are currently two heat accumula-
tors installed in the Helsinki district heating
Other heat boiler sites. In addition to the key system, which are located at the Salmisaari
sites, the Helsinki district heating network and Vuosaari production sites. The two accu-
includes heating plants in Alppila, Jakomäki, mulators are approximately of the same size
Lassila, Myllypuro, Munkkisaari, Patola, and and have a combined storage capacity of ca.
Ruskeasuo. These sites are peak load and 2,250 MWh of heat, and each have 100 MW of
back-up boilers used in extreme weather heat dispatch capacity.
conditions, during maintenance of base load In addition to existing storage capacity,
units, and function as back-up capacity in Helen has ongoing projects for two addition-
case of malfunctions. These boilers use fuel al heat storage units to be placed in Mustik-
oil and natural gas as main fuel sources. kamaa and Kruunuvuorenranta. A summary
of existing and planned heat storage capacity
Heat storage capacity in Helsinki DH network is outlined in Table 4.
Heat accumulators in district heating net-
works are typically large storage tanks for Current utilisation of waste
hot water, which are charged when there and surplus heat sources
is excess supply compared to demand and Waste and surplus heat is utilised in the
similarly dispatched when the heat produc- Helsinki district heating system via heat
10 Nurmi, K. (2014). Flexible operation of CCGT plant in cogeneration. Available in Finnish at:http://urn.fi/
URN:NBN:fi:aalto-201412233301
Table 4 Existing and planned heat storage capacity in Helsinki DH network.
Storage Storage Dispatch Charging
volume capacity capacity temperature Commissioning
Storage unit (m³) (MWh) (MW) (°C) year
Vuosaari 25,000 1,250 100 90 1998
Salmisaari 20,000 1,000 100 90 1987
Mustikkamaa 320,000 11,600 120 90 2021
Kruunuvuorenranta 300,000 4,500 1,5 18 n. a.
Source: Helen website. Available in Finnish at:https://www.helen.fi/yritys/vastuullisuus/ajankohtaista/blogi/2019/
postkivihiili
25 Helsinki Energy Challengepumps and leveraging the combined heating Esplanadi cooling plant. The Esplanadi cool-
and cooling network infrastructure. Currently ing plant has two heat pumps that produce
approximately 10% of all DH supply in Helsin- both heating and cooling. The plant is located
ki network is based on waste heat utilisation. 50 meters below the Esplanadi Park in the
Sources of waste heat include excess heat centre of Helsinki. The plant also includes
from buildings, businesses such as data 25,000 m3 cold water storage. Esplanadi
centres, and sewage water; this waste heat station uses heat pumps to recover heat
is then re-used in the production of district from district cooling return water and has
heating. 20 MW of heating capacity, and a total of
The most notable sites for waste heat 50 MW of cooling capacity when including
utilisation are Katri Vala heat pump station the discharge capacity of cold storage. The
and Esplanadi cooling plant. heat pumps started operation in 201813.
Katri Vala heat pump station. Katri Vala Open district heating. Helen has recently
heating and cooling plant was commissioned launched a new pricing model for purchas-
in 2006 and is the world’s largest heat pump ing waste and surplus heat from its district
station with 100 MW of heating and 60 MW of heating customers. This model is based on a
cooling capacity11. The plant is located under voluntary agreement, where Helen commits
the Katri Vala park in Sörnäinen, which is to purchasing all excess heat but does not
adjacent to the Hanasaari power plant site. obligate the customer to sell. The producer
Katri Vala plant utilises heat recovered is compensated for the supplied heat by a
from the return water from the district cool- seasonal tariff structure, which is based on
ing network and wastewater. As the district Helen’s production costs and total demand
cooling water returns to the heat pump for district heating, thus valuing excess
station, it recovers the heat acquired from heat during heating season over the cooling
cooling customers and transfers it to the season.
district heating network by using the plant’s
heat pumps. This combined with the waste
heat from sewage water is used for district
heating.
Currently the plant is used for base load
but it potentially also adds flexibility to the
Helsinki district heating system. The plant
currently comprises 5 heat pumps which
can be operated independently. During the
coldest ambient temperatures, the district
heating produced in Katri Vala is primed
with heat from Hanasaari site to reach the
required supply temperature of 115°C.12
11 Helen website. Available at: https://www.helen.fi/en/company/energy/energy-production/power-plants/
katri-vala-heating-and-cooling-plant
12 Valor Partners (2016). Large Heat Pumps in District Heating Systems. Available in Finnish at: https://energia.fi/
files/993/Suuret_lampopumput_kaukolampojarjestelmassa_Loppuraportti_290816_paivitetty.pdf
13 Helen website. Available at: https://www.helen.fi/en/news/2018/
underground-heating-and-cooling-plant-utilises-waste-heat
26 Helsinki Energy ChallengeFigure 20 District heat production by unit type and energy source in Helsinki, 2018.
DH production by unit type DH production by energy source
GWh 3% 1%
7 000
5 950
6 000 8%
Coal
5 000
Natural gas
4 000 53 % Heat pumps
35 %
3 000 Bio fuels
2 000 Fuel oil
1 000 580 630
40
0
CHP Heat pumps Heat boilers Purchased heat
Source: Finnish Energy (2019), Helen website
Heat generation in Helsinki demand, about 50% of Helsinki district
with current production units heat demand is produced with heat pumps.
Heat generation is mostly based on cogene- However, during cold winter weather this
ration in Salmisaari, Hanasaari, and Vuosaari. share is 5%, which is mostly recovered from
The share of CHP generation was 85% of wastewater15.
all heat production in 2018 (Figure 20). The
Hanasaari and Salmisaari coal CHP units are Current investment plans
operated the most. Heat pumps accounted to replace coal in Helsinki
for approximately 580 GWh of heat gener- Helen plans on implementing the coal phase-
ation and heat procurement from adjacent out in two stages, where the first stage in-
district heating networks (Espoo and/or Van- volves the closure of the Hanasaari coal CHP
taa) accounted for 40 GWh. The remainder of by 2024, followed by the second stage where
the heat was produced with heat-only boilers. the Salmisaari coal CHP unit is shut down or
Coal and natural gas are the main fuels converted to other fuels by 2029. Helen has
of the CHP units and therefore compose been evaluating options for replacement and
the majority of the total fuel consumption. it is likely that the replacement solution will
In 2017 the Helsinki district heating system be a combination of different technologies
fuel usage comprised: coal approximately and heat sources.
7,500 GWh (60%), natural gas 4,500 GWh Helen’s current plan for the first stage
(36%), and pellet, fuel oil, and electricity of replacements consists of a new biomass
550 GWh (4%). heat-only boiler (HOB) plant investment,
The Katri Vala heat pump plant produced increasing waste heat recovery and heat
approximately 8% of all district heating in pump capacity, geothermal heat, locality-lev-
Helsinki and 70–75% of district cooling in el heating solutions, as well as increased
2017. According to Helen14, Katri Vala station heat procurement from the adjacent district
can produce the majority of the heat demand heating networks in Espoo and Vantaa. In
of the city centre during the summer season, addition, the Mustikkamaa heat storage unit
when the district cooling demand is the adds flexibility to the system. A summary of
highest. During the period of peak cooling Helen’s replacement plan for Hanasaari coal
14 Helen website. Available at: https://www.helen.fi/en/news/2018/newheatpump
15 Yle. Available in Finnish at: https://yle.fi/uutiset/3-9843548
27 Helsinki Energy ChallengeYou can also read
