2 ms·

Helsinki ditched coal in just 2 years

5 points by doener 2y ago

timonoko 2y ago
They dont have alternate sources of heat now. 80% comes from national grid. When that fails in midwinter, folks die. Says Grok: Based on the most recent available data and Helen’s stated plans, here’s an estimate of Helsinki’s current energy sources as of April 7, 2025, expressed in approximate percentages: Nuclear Power: Around 30-35%. Helen relies heavily on nuclear energy procured from external sources like the Olkiluoto power plant. Nuclear power forms a significant part of Finland’s electricity mix (38.1% nationally in 2024), and Helsinki’s supply reflects this stable, carbon-free source. Wind Power: Approximately 20-25%. Wind has surged in Finland, contributing 23.9% to national electricity in 2024, and Helen has emphasized replacing coal with wind energy. Helsinki benefits from this growing capacity through purchases and partnerships. Hydropower: Roughly 15-20%. Hydropower, contributing 16.6% nationally in 2024, is another key source for Helen, sourced from rivers like Kemijoki and Kymijoki outside Helsinki. Biofuels and Biomass: About 15-20%. Wood-based fuels and biomass are critical for district heating, which serves over 90% of Helsinki’s homes. In 2017, wood and residues made up 30% of district heating nationally, and Helsinki continues to use these renewable sources, though exact local percentages have shifted with coal’s exit.
- ZeroGravitas 2y ago
  Their grid reliability is 99.9995% though, and they have good insulation and the world's largest heat storage system. So they'll be okay.
  - timonoko 2y ago
    You r forgetting nasty neighbors like Sweden. First thing they do, is to destroy the energy infrastructure. There used to be plan B and C, with several reserve plants near by. Only plan Z is now left, which is to gather people in underground shelters powered by diesel engines.
defrost 2y ago
Says the article, which perhaps "Grok" failed to read: * Helsinki is now building the world’s largest heat pump, which will send heat to 30,000 homes when it starts running in 2026. * At the site of one of the closed coal plants, the city is also building a new facility that will capture heat from the Baltic Sea. * Helsinki also uses some hydro and nuclear power, and as much waste heat as possible. That includes capturing heat from local data centers and wastewater.
- timonoko 2y ago
  You think heat pump is source of energy? :-) I specifically asked for realistic numbers. Copypaste failed at last chapter. The heat pump etc was %5 percent max. %5 comes as savings when energy actual comes from nukular plant.

5 points by doener 2y ago

They dont have alternate sources of heat now. 80% comes from national grid. When that fails in midwinter, folks die. Says Grok: Based on the most recent available data and Helen’s stated plans, here’s an estimate of Helsinki’s current energy sources as of April 7, 2025, expressed in approximate percentages: Nuclear Power: Around 30-35%. Helen relies heavily on nuclear energy procured from external sources like the Olkiluoto power plant. Nuclear power forms a significant part of Finland’s electricity mix (38.1% nationally in 2024), and Helsinki’s supply reflects this stable, carbon-free source. Wind Power: Approximately 20-25%. Wind has surged in Finland, contributing 23.9% to national electricity in 2024, and Helen has emphasized replacing coal with wind energy. Helsinki benefits from this growing capacity through purchases and partnerships. Hydropower: Roughly 15-20%. Hydropower, contributing 16.6% nationally in 2024, is another key source for Helen, sourced from rivers like Kemijoki and Kymijoki outside Helsinki. Biofuels and Biomass: About 15-20%. Wood-based fuels and biomass are critical for district heating, which serves over 90% of Helsinki’s homes. In 2017, wood and residues made up 30% of district heating nationally, and Helsinki continues to use these renewable sources, though exact local percentages have shifted with coal’s exit.

ZeroGravitas 2y ago
Their grid reliability is 99.9995% though, and they have good insulation and the world's largest heat storage system. So they'll be okay.
- timonoko 2y ago
  You r forgetting nasty neighbors like Sweden. First thing they do, is to destroy the energy infrastructure. There used to be plan B and C, with several reserve plants near by. Only plan Z is now left, which is to gather people in underground shelters powered by diesel engines.

defrost 2y ago

Says the article, which perhaps "Grok" failed to read: * Helsinki is now building the world’s largest heat pump, which will send heat to 30,000 homes when it starts running in 2026. * At the site of one of the closed coal plants, the city is also building a new facility that will capture heat from the Baltic Sea. * Helsinki also uses some hydro and nuclear power, and as much waste heat as possible. That includes capturing heat from local data centers and wastewater.

timonoko 2y ago
You think heat pump is source of energy? :-) I specifically asked for realistic numbers. Copypaste failed at last chapter. The heat pump etc was %5 percent max. %5 comes as savings when energy actual comes from nukular plant.