QHeat, a Finnish geothermal energy innovator, has completed a co-created product development project with Exel Composites, a publicly listed Finnish manufacturer of advanced composite solutions, to install custom-made composite collector pipes in a geothermal well at the Lounavoima site.

The new composite pipes increased the well s energy production and storage capacity by nearly 10% compared to the previous solution, according to QHeat CEO Erika Salmenvaara. The collaboration, supported by Business Finland funding, aimed to deliver a cost-effective, sustainable, and regulation-compliant upgrade to the plant s energy efficiency.

Exel Composites designed and manufactured the fiberglass collector pipes using its continuous pultrusion process, while QHeat handled installation. The pipes, which boast an estimated 50-year lifespan, are lightweight, metal-free, optimized for flow and insulation, and recyclable, making them well-suited to withstand the mechanical stress and thermal requirements of being installed two kilometers underground.

Beyond geothermal applications, Exel notes that such composite materials have potential in wind, solar, and other green energy sectors where their lightness, corrosion resistance, insulation, and durability offer significant advantages.

The project underscores Finnish engineering s role in driving the green transition. With successful deployment at Lounavoima, QHeat and Exel plan to replicate the solution in Norway and Sweden, with further expansion planned across the Nordics and EU.

Source: www.qheat.com