The largest energy recycling system in Finland designed for Jumbo

For years, the Jumbo-Flamingo shopping centre in Vantaa has been the largest shopping centre in Finland. Thanks to the energy efficiency project implemented in 2021, Jumbo’s climate responsibility has also reached a new level. “We want to participate in climate action to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency,” says Hannu Hirvonen, Property Manager at Jumbo.

Selecting the energy recycling concept developed in cooperation between Granlund and Kesko helped get a head start in the design. “The heating of Jumbo utilises the condensate heat of refrigeration equipment and the heat energy recovered from the cooling and exhaust air of the premises,” says Miika Nuuttila, Group Manager for Energy Efficiency Projects at Granlund.

We want to participate in climate action to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency.

Hannu Hirvonen, Property Manager at Jumbo

Carbon emissions cut back by 440 tonnes per year

Two nearly identical heat pump systems were designed to recycled energy inside the shopping centre. Upon completion, Jumbo’s energy recycling system will be the largest in Finland, and the heat pumps will produce heat at an average output of 700 kWh in winter. According to the calculations, the energy recycling system will cover 75% of the shopping centre’s energy needs. “About 300 detached houses could be heated with the purchased energy this saves,” Nuuttila says.

The energy recycling system covers 75% of the shopping centre’s energy and cuts back 440 tonnes of emissions per year.

Miika Nuuttila, Group Manager at Granlund

Despite its scale, the payback period of the energy efficiency investment remains reasonable and the consumption of purchased electricity remains sensible with the new system. As condensate heat is considered renewable energy, Jumbo’s heating and cooling emissions are reduced by 440 tonnes per year. “That’s equivalent to 3.4 million kilometres of emissions from a petrol car in the midpoint of its service life.”

Energy recycling system improves indoor conditions

For Jumbo’s grocery stores, Prisma and Citymarket, the benefits are even greater than the energy and emissions savings. The new energy recycling system will cover future investment needs, as the same system will implement planned improvements in the indoor air conditions of the stores.

Energy-efficient and modern refrigeration and freezer equipment with lids has a less drying effect on the indoor air of the stores, compared to equipment without lids, which causes fogging of glass surfaces in the summer. “It even affects sales,” Nuuttila says. The energy recycling system dries the incoming air, improving the quality of indoor air and reducing the fogging of refrigeration equipment. “From the point of view of the stores, this one investment solved many problems at once.”

According to Nuuttila, Jumbo’s energy efficiency project went exceptionally well, as all parties involved, from property maintenance to shopping centre management and property owners, had a genuine desire to contribute to the implementation of the new system. “The installations were completed without disturbing the day-to-day activities of the shopping centre.”

Hirvonen is also happy with the result. “All in all, the project went smoothly, as we had professionals leading and supervising it. A very good main contractor was also of great importance.”