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Located in Central Pasila, Helsinki, Mall of Tripla is one of the largest shopping centres in the Nordics by number of stores. Photo: Vadelmavene (Wikimedia Commons)

Gebwell G-Eco heat pumps take efficiency and reliability to a new level

A major upgrade of the energy recovery system has been carried out at Mall of Tripla. The system was updated to meet today’s requirements by replacing the existing heat pumps with new units. The project aimed to improve energy efficiency, increase energy production capacity, and ensure reliable operation well into the future. Eight R290-based G-Eco Pro 120 heat pumps were installed in Mall of Tripla’s energy recovery system.

What does the upgrade mean in practice?

Stepless capacity control and improved performance As part of the upgrade, Gebwell Oy’s Finnish-made heat pumps using the R290 refrigerant were installed, enabling stepless capacity control from 50 to 1000 kW. This smooths system operation and significantly increases energy production.

More heating and cooling energy for the entire property complex Following the upgrade, the Mall of Tripla complex can produce more heating and cooling energy than before, reducing the need for district heating and district cooling. As part of the project, the heating networks of the five-storey Triplaparkki parking facility were also connected to the same energy recovery system.

Improved reliability Instead of two heat pumps, the system now consists of eight separate heat pump units. A higher number of units improves overall system reliability.

Fast, controlled implementation Thanks to prefabrication and preparations, the downtime was limited to four weeks. The removal of the old system and installation of the new one were carried out efficiently, minimizing the impact on day-to-day operations. Project partners visiting the technical room in October 2025. Photo: Mall of Tripla

Collaboration and project management

The project succeeded thanks to careful planning and close cooperation between all parties. Granlund Oy was responsible for design and construction management, Gebwell Oy supplied the heat pumps, and Cervi Oy carried out the piping, electrical, and ventilation works. Uudenmaan Automatiikkahuolto Oy delivered the automation solution, ensuring reliable operation and enabling continuous monitoring and further development.

Project realities and risk factors were reviewed together with the contractors. Prefabricated pipework supported a fast lead time and occupational safety, and strong teamwork combined with quick decision-making enabled the project to be completed up to a week ahead of schedule.

Summary

The project is an excellent example of how technical innovation, careful project management, and seamless collaboration can together improve energy efficiency and ensure reliable operation. The system upgrade supports Mall of Tripla’s long-term strategy to further develop sustainability and energy efficiency.

Text: Mall of Tripla, edited by Gebwell Photo of partners visiting the technical room: Mall of Tripla Aerial photo of Tripla: Tripla 2019-09-18 — Joneikifi (Wikimedia Commons), CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified: cropped. Photo of the Tripla entrance: Mall of Tripla — Vadelmavene (Wikimedia Commons), CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified: cropped.

Chosen heating solution: the climate-safe Gebwell G-Eco heat pump

The new logistics centre of Nokian Panimo brewery, completed in spring 2025, is heated with geothermal energy. This is the largest investment in the company’s history, comprising approximately 2,500 m² and 23,000 m³ of space – nearly doubling the brewery’s existing facilities.

One of the project’s objectives was to carry out the expansion with as low emissions as possible, so geothermal energy was selected as the heating solution at a very early stage.

“Environmental friendliness is very important to us, and when acquiring the heating system this was one of the decisive factors. Energy efficiency also plays a major role in our industry, and we work with this issue practically all the time,” says Maintenance Manager Pasi Risku.

During the project, the site’s HVAC contractor, Putkitupa Oy, proposed replacing the previously selected heat pump system with the Gebwell G-Eco heat pump, which uses natural R290 refrigerant.

“The serviceability of the heat pump and refrigerant regulations played a central role in the decision. It is also great to be at the forefront of adopting new technology,” Risku explains. “What makes the system special is precisely the use of R290 refrigerant, whose suitability seems to withstand refrigerant regulation well into the future,” he continues.

Putkitupa Oy’s Business Director Timo Kekkonen adds: “The G-Eco heat pump was changed during the implementation phase because it was better suited to both the site’s and the client’s requirements. G-Eco stood out particularly for its energy efficiency and environmentally friendly refrigerant.”

Installation of the G-Eco went smoothly

At the logistics centre, the geothermal system maintains base heating throughout the year. The system consists of a G-Eco Pro 120 heat pump and a separate buffer tank for heat production. The system does not produce domestic hot water.

“The biggest difference compared to earlier projects was the special expertise and safety regulations related to installing an R290 heat pump. Otherwise, the installation process proceeded quite normally,” says Kekkonen.

“For an R290 heat pump, special attention had to be paid to room safety, ventilation and compliance with regulations. Once these aspects were taken into account, the installation went smoothly,” he continues.

Kekkonen praises the cooperation with Gebwell: “Working with Gebwell was smooth. During the planning phase we received support with dimensioning and equipment choices, and during the installation the manufacturer’s experts were very accessible. The installation training session organised earlier by Gebwell was a great help in planning and carrying out the installation work.”

The system connection and the manufacturer’s instructions were also praised. Installation, adjustment and commissioning were completed without major challenges.

Kekkonen recommends G-Eco heat pumps for similar projects: “What I especially remember is the good cooperation between the manufacturer and the contractor, and that the project was completed without delays. From a technical perspective: commissioning the G-Eco heat pump was straightforward, despite it being new technology using R290 refrigerant,” Kekkonen summarises.

The logistics centre was completed and the system commissioned in early summer 2025.

At the new K-Supermarket in Siilinjärvi, waste heat from the retail store is used as an energy source for G-Eco heat pumps. The energy recycling system improves cost-efficiency, reduces energy consumption and supports sustainable heating solutions.

The new K-Supermarket Siilinhelmi opened in Siilinjärvi at the beginning of February. The property is heated by an energy recycling system installed by Savon LVI-Talo, for which we supplied G-Eco heat pumps, G-Energy storage tanks and a G-Power heat distribution substation. The G-Eco heat pumps in the energy recycling system utilize condenser heat from the refrigeration units for heating the property.

Energy recycling system using waste heat as an energy source

Juha Liukkonen, Regional Manager at Gebwell Oy, explains the operating principle of the system:

“This is an energy recycling system in which the condenser heat generated by the store’s refrigeration units is utilized as an energy source for the heat pumps used to heat the property.”

The store’s refrigeration units continuously produce large amounts of condenser heat when refrigerant is condensed as part of the cooling process. This heat is removed from the refrigeration equipment to keep refrigerated cabinets and freezer units cold. When the condenser heat is recovered and utilized, for example for heating the property, significant energy savings can be achieved compared to a situation where the heat is discharged entirely outdoors without being used.

At K-Supermarket Siilinhelmi, the condenser heat from the refrigeration units is transferred to an cellular-rubber-insulated storage tank, which the heat pumps use as their energy source to produce heating for the property. The G-Energy Cooling condenser tank and G-Eco heat pumps in the energy recycling system utilize condenser heat from the refrigeration units for heating the property.

District heating for domestic hot water and backup heating

The heat produced by the heat pumps is distributed to the property’s ventilation and radiator heating networks via a heat distribution substation. The domestic hot water required in the property is produced with a district heating substation, and district heating is also used to supplement heating during peak demand when needed.

During the summer, when the property is cooled, the condenser tank functions as a cooling buffer tank and the heat pump produces active cooling for the tank. The condenser heat generated during cooling is discharged via a condenser heat exchanger to the dry cooler located on the roof of the property.

The K-Supermarket energy recycling system consists of G-Eco Pro 120 and G-Eco Core 40 heat pumps using R290 refrigerant, a 1,000-litre G-Energy heating buffer tank, a 2,000-litre G-Energy Cooling condenser tank and a 3-circuit G-Power heat distribution substation. The heat produced by the heat pumps is distributed throughout the property via a 3-circuit G-Power district heating substation.

Preassembled energy system modules accelerated installation

The heat pumps used in the K-Supermarket Siilinhelmi energy recycling system are G-Eco heat pumps utilizing R290 refrigerant. For Savon LVI-Talo, these were the first G-Eco heat pumps they had installed.

“Technically, the installation was very similar to a conventional heat pump project, apart from the ventilation ducting from the heat pump. Otherwise, installing the R290 heat pump went just like installing other heat pumps,” says Joni Juntunen from Savon LVI-Talo.

The equipment for the energy recycling system was delivered to the technical room of the retail property as preassembled modules. The image shows the G-Eco heat pumps and the G-Energy heating buffer tank.

The preassembled modules made the connections and commissioning straightforward: “The energy recycling system was delivered in four installation-ready modules, which significantly accelerated and simplified the on-site installation. The modules were easy to connect to each other and to the property’s heating network,” Juntunen continues. Joni Juntunen from Savon LVI-Talo praised the smooth cooperation with Gebwell and Regional Manager Juha Liukkonen.

Cooperation with Gebwell is smooth

Savon LVI-Talo appreciated Gebwell’s expert support during the project.

“Cooperation with Gebwell has been very smooth — no complaints. We didn’t even have to wrestle over the prices,” Juntunen says with a laugh.

The system was commissioned by Gebwell’s technical expert, and the complete system was handed over to the customer on schedule.

The energy recycling system at K-Supermarket Siilinhelmi in Siilinjärvi supports sustainability goals by efficiently reusing waste heat from refrigeration technology for the needs of the property.

Learn more about G-Eco heat pumps

Kämmenniemi School in Tampere abandoned oil heating and switched to climate-safe geothermal energy. The new system uses the natural refrigerant R290, providing a sustainable and energy-efficient heating solution for the school and daycare far into the future.

The renovation of the school’s oil-based heating system had been under consideration for over ten years. During the long planning process, several alternatives were assessed – including lake heat, wood chips and pellets.

“We decided on geothermal energy because we wanted an environmentally friendly and future-proof solution. Key factors were the City of Tampere’s goal to phase out oil heating, a 40 % state subsidy for the project and low life-cycle costs. In comparison, wood chips or pellets would still have required oil as a support fuel,” says Timo Heikkilä, Leading Specialist at Sweco Finland, responsible for the system design. Timo Heikkillä, Sweco Finland

School to be renovated for 600 pupils

The first building of Kämmenniemi School was built in 1969, with extensions completed in 1988 and 2001, and a daycare facility added in 2019. In addition to the daycare, preschool, primary and lower secondary school, the property complex also houses a library and youth centre. A major renovation project will be carried out in two phases, the first starting next year. After the renovation, the school will accommodate up to 600 pupils and preschoolers.

The total heated area of the school and daycare buildings is just over 8,000 m². The geothermal source consists of 30 boreholes, each 350 m deep. A separate 73 m² heating plant was built on site to house the heating system.

G-Eco geothermal system ready for free cooling

The heating system is a 520 kW G-Eco installation, consisting of four G-Eco Pro 120 heat pumps and one G-Eco Core 40 heat pump. The G-Eco Pro units provide space heating, while the G-Eco Core unit produces domestic hot water at a higher supply temperature.

“The system also includes a 3,000-litre G-Energy Custom buffer tank for heating and a 3,000-litre G-Energy Coil tank equipped with seven vertical coils for domestic hot water production,” explains Kalle Kanninen, Managing Director of North Energy Solutions Oy, which carried out the installation. A backup electric boiler was also installed in the system. Kalle Kanninen, North Energy Solutions

The system is also prepared for geothermal cooling.

“Currently, only space cooling is in use – geothermal cooling is used to cool the heating plant. Once the school renovation is complete, geothermal cooling and exhaust air heat recovery will also be introduced in the school buildings,” Kanninen adds.

Designed with the updated F-gas regulation in mind

The system design included G-Eco heat pumps using natural R290 refrigerant from the outset.

“From the beginning, I planned the system taking into account the upcoming F-gas regulation and PFAS restrictions. It was known that natural-refrigerant commercial heat pumps were already available on the market, making it possible to design a future-proof geothermal solution,” Heikkilä explains.

“We had good prior experience with Gebwell from an earlier project. Their reliable after-sales service and technical support gave confidence to design the system with propane-based equipment. In practice, if technical support is only available abroad, troubleshooting can become difficult,” he continues, noting that the system connections and operation were reviewed with Gebwell already at the design stage.

Heikkilä also praises the installation company:

“We were fortunate to have North Energy Solutions as the contractor – based on this project, they have proven to be a competent and easy-to-work-with heat pump system supplier.”

Manufacturer support and remote commissioning praised

The Kämmenniemi School project was the first geothermal system implemented by North Energy Solutions using G-Eco heat pumps.

“Compared to conventional heat pumps, the main difference was the implementation of ATEX ventilation and ducting required by the propane refrigerant, as well as connecting the vent lines from air bleed valves to the ventilation ducts. The separate heating plant, located away from passage routes, allowed individual ventilation and fans for each heat pump – which differs from standard practice,” Kanninen explains.

The system was commissioned in August 2025.

“We received remote commissioning support from Gebwell, and the start-up went smoothly. We were always able to reach technical support when needed. After initial adjustments, the system has been running well — and there was even less fine-tuning required than expected,” Kanninen concludes, recommending G-Eco heat pumps for similar projects.

Site and system details

• Heated area: over 8,000 m²
• Designed for 600 preschoolers and pupils
• 30 × 350 m geothermal boreholes
• 520 kW geothermal system: 4 × G-Eco Pro 120 + 1 × G-Eco Core 40
• 3,000 L heating buffer tank and 3,000 L domestic hot water tank
• Readiness for geothermal cooling

The system is installed in separate technical building At Kämmenniemi School, four G-Eco Pro 120 heat pumps for heating At Kämmenniemi School, four G-Eco Pro 120 heat pumps The domestic hot water is produced in a G-Energy Coil tank equipped with seven vertical coils. The system also includes a 3,000 L heating buffer tank, and an electric boiler serves as a backup system.