Exceptionally Significant Project: Tekojaa Delivers a Heat Pump System Using Natural Refrigerants to Imatran Lämpö
Tekojaa is delivering a heat pump system using natural refrigerants to the district heating company Imatran Lämpö. The project is a joint initiative between Imatran Lämpö and Stora Enso’s Imatra mills, where the heat from wastewater at the Kaukopää mill is recovered and converted into heating energy. This technologically groundbreaking project marks a major milestone: Tekojaa is the first Finnish company capable of delivering large-scale heat pump systems powered by natural refrigerants.
“Tekojaa has been utilizing natural refrigerants in its solutions for over 25 years. The system we are delivering to Imatran Lämpö uses ammonia as the refrigerant. This makes our system exceptionally energy-efficient and significantly reduces emissions from heat production. The overall economic suitability of our solution was one of the key reasons for Imatran Lämpö selecting us as the supplier,” says Tekojaa CEO Timo Mansikkaviita.
The System Will Cover Over 50 % of Imatran Lämpö’s Annual Need
Tekojaa’s solution comprises of nine heat pump modules that together form a modular plant room solution. The system has a heating capacity of 15 MW and an annual production of 100 GWh, which accounts for more than 50 % of Imatran Lämpö’s yearly district heating requirements.
With Tekojaa’s ST Heat system, 50°C water from the mill is heated to 90°C and then distributed into the district heating network through Imatran Lämpö’s heating plant. Imatran Lämpö aims to advance emission-free heat production, reduce the use of fossil fuels and biofuels, and ensure stable and competitive district heating prices. More than half of homes in Imatra rely on district heating – for public and commercial buildings, the figure is over 90 %.
The system is scheduled for commissioning at the beginning of 2025, after which Tekojaa will provide Imatran Lämpö with maintenance and upkeep services. A 24/7 remote monitoring system ensures quick response to any maintenance needs and optimal system performance around the clock.
Improved Energy Efficiency with Environmentally Friendly Ammonia
The advantages of Tekojaa’s heat pump system lie in its modularity and the energy efficiency achieved through the use of environmentally friendly ammonia. The modules are manufactured at the company’s production facilities in Parkano and transported to the site fully assembled, enabling quick commissioning. Compared to constructing a separate building, modular plant rooms are a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution.
Tekojaa has been manufacturing and delivering modular industrial heat pump systems on a turnkey basis for over a decade. The company is Finland’s leading provider of heat and cooling technology solutions that utilize natural refrigerants. The scale of the Imatran Lämpö and Stora Enso project reinforces the company’s position as one of Finland’s most significant suppliers of industrial heat pumps.
“We are proud to have applied our extensive experience and technological expertise to a project of this magnitude,” Mansikkaviita concludes.
Customer
Imatran Lämpö
Project
Recovering heat from wastewater at Stora Enso’s Kaukopää mill and converting it into district heating energy
- Modular plant room comprising of 9 heat pump modules
- Heating capacity: 15 MW
- Annual production: 100 GWh
- Refrigerant: ammonia
- Commissioning: the beginning of 2025
