Geothermal heat produced with QHeat’s technology is a nearly emission-free and climate change-mitigating energy production method especially suitable for large real estate masses. The system produces renewable geothermal energy with innovative technology, utilising medium-deep heat wells. The about 2,000-metre-deep wells can, in addition to producing geothermal energy, also be used for cooling and energy storage. The heating network connected to the well also enables the utilisation of waste heat within the property. With QHeat’s solution, a property’s CO2 emissions can be reduced by up to 95 percent compared to if heated with fossil fuels.
QHeat’s technology suits dense urban construction perfectly, as it is possible to heat and cool even an entire block with one medium-deep heat well. This enables the utilization of clean geothermal heat energy in areas where geothermal heat is otherwise not suitable due to dense construction. A medium-deep heat well can also be built in a densely populated area, as it is only about the size of an LP record. A traditional geothermal field can occupy up to 5,000 m2.
The QHeat concept differs from ordinary ground source heating in several ways. The most significant difference is that QHeat wells extend much deeper than ordinary geothermal heating solutions, to a depth of 1000-2000 metres. At this depth, the temperatures are significantly higher, which makes it possible to produce a greater amount of energy. At the core of QHeat’s technology is an isolated coaxial flow, which enables the storage and efficient utilisation of heat from deep within the ground.
The QHeat concept is local and decentralised, which means that it can be used for regional low-temperature heating networks. The method allows the use of lower temperatures in individual properties as well as sharing energy between several properties.
What makes QHeat’s heat wells unique is that they can be utilised for cooling, and that they can store heat as well.
When buildings are heated, the bedrock at the bottom of the medium-deep heat wells cools down slowly. On the other hand, when geothermal wells are used for cooling, heat is stored in the bedrock to compensate for the heat deficit created during the winter. This stored heat is therefore available for heating during the cold season. Similarly, energy can be stored in medium-deep heat wells whenever it is cost-effectively available, for example in the summertime. Likewise, energy from various waste heat sources can be stored in a heat well. This enables an efficient circular energy economy.
Energy self-sufficiency means the ability to produce the energy you need by yourself, so you don’t need to buy it from others. The aspiration towards energy self-sufficiency can be justified both on economic grounds and from a value and responsibility point of view. By shortening or even eliminating the supply chain, you can effectively manage your environmental impact.
Renewable geothermal energy improves both the user’s and the whole state’s energy self-sufficiency. Its life cycle is long, up to 100 years in the case of a heat well, and energy production is stable – independently
of the weather and seasons.
As the Finnish underground does not offer natural gas, crude oil or coal, all fossil energy sources consumed in Finland are imported from abroad.