Toni Nikkanen, Business Manager at Loimua, explains that the geothermal system installed in 2012 didn’t live up to expectations. There were problems with both heating and hot water sufficiency.
– Whenever the geothermal system malfunctioned, the apartments got cold and there was not enough hot water. A few years ago, we connected the property to the Loimua Property Control Board, which helped us gain better insight into the issues, says Nikkanen.
While one option was to return to using district heating alone, the team wanted to make the most of the existing infrastructure, especially since significant investments had already been made.
– Instead of letting the previously installed geothermal wells go to waste, we chose to build a hybrid system that combines them with district heating, says Nikkanen.
HögforsGST’s HybridHEAT brought reliability
Loimua partnered with HögforsGST to deliver the new solution: the GST HybridHEAT system. It intelligently combines geothermal and district heating, leveraging the strengths of both.
– In our experience, many hybrid systems do not work properly unless they are carefully designed. HögforsGST’s solution is an exception, as it is stable. Stability is the foundation for everything, Nikkanen underlines.
Reliability right from the start
Since the installation, the system has run smoothly.
– There have not been any issues. The system has been reliable from the start and we can flexibly switch between different energy sources depending on the market situation, says Jani Kanninen, Product Manager at Loimua.
The hybrid model also enables optimization of costs and energy efficiency based on real-time needs and conditions.
Built on trust and long-term cooperation
The successful project is just one milestone in a long-term collaboration between Loimua and HögforsGST.
– HögforsGST has been a key supplier of district heating distribution centers for many years. That solid working relationship makes it easier for us to recommend new solutions to our customers, says Nikkanen.
At the heart of this collaboration is mutual trust.
– We need to deliver what we promise. Our customers rely on us and our partners to deliver on our promises. HögforsGST brings innovation and problem-solving to every project. They’re not afraid to think outside the box, he continues.
Proven results for residents
The hybrid system resulting from the cooperation between HögforsGST and Loimua has restored the reliability of the heating system at Hongistonkuja 2 and ensured sufficient heating under all conditions.
– As a result of the cooperation, we now have a reliable concept for solving the typical challenges associated with geothermal systems all while making use of the previous heating investments, Nikkanen summarizes.
