Retail store waste heat as an energy source for G-Eco heat pumps
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.