The Salo subsoil in Finland holds a tangible answer to the challenge of sustainable heating. Two kilometers deep, a seasonal thermal storage system captures excess summer heat and reuses it during the winters, reducing the use of fossil fuels.
Geothermal technology for a district heating network
The project, developed at the Lounavoima waste-to-energy plant, is led by QHeat and supported by Exel Composites. This partnership results in a geothermal infrastructure that uses glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) pipes to transfer heat to deep wells. With a storage capacity of up to 14 GWh, the system can heat about 700 homes per year.
The integration of geothermal geothermal storage solutions improves the performance of district heating district heatingAt the same time, it represents a step in the electrification of heat in regions with severe winters. By harnessing seasonal waste heat, emissions are reduced and progress is made towards a more self-sufficient and cleaner energy model.
This development in Salo demonstrates the potential of aligning deep geothermal technology with composite materials for greener heating. The collaboration between QHeat and Exel Composites marks an example of how applied engineering can generate viable solutions for Europe’s energy future.
Source and photo: Exel Composites
