Honeywell, a global leader in advanced materials and technologies, proudly announces the successful implementation of Ireland’s first low-carbon district heating network in Tallaght, Dublin. The groundbreaking project, powered by Honeywell’s energy-efficient and ultra-low-global-warming-potential (GWP) hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) Solstice ze (R-1234ze) refrigerant, marks a significant step towards achieving Ireland’s 2030 and 2050 renewable energy targets and aligns with the European Union’s ambitious decarbonization initiatives, including REPowerEU.
This revolutionary district heating system, owned and operated by Heatworks, Ireland’s first public not-for-profit energy company, is the result of a fruitful collaboration between South Dublin County Council, Finnish energy company Fortum, and Dublin’s Energy Agency Codema. Utilizing waste heat from a nearby Amazon Web Services data centre, the project provides low-carbon heating to both commercial and residential customers, driving the transition to circular decarbonized energy while also cutting emissions.
The impressive Tallaght district heating network stretches 1.5 kilometres and currently serves 32,800 square meters of public sector buildings, including South Dublin Council’s County Hall building, the library complex, and The Institute of Technology Tallaght. Furthermore, it is projected to expand its reach by adding 133 affordable rental apartments to the network in 2024. According to Fortum, the implementation of this district heating system will result in a significant reduction of approximately 1,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually in the South Dublin County area.
“This milestone achievement in Tallaght sets an example for other European cities seeking ways to accelerate their decarbonization goals,” said Kari Lahti, Fortum’s Business Development lead for Ireland Heating and Cooling. “Honeywell’s Solstice ze refrigerant was the ideal choice for this project, offering optimal safety, energy efficiency, and ultra-low-GWP benefits. Leveraging our extensive experience in district heating, we look forward to expanding this flexible and cost-effective network to serve more customers, not only in Ireland but also beyond its borders.”
Julien Soulet, Vice President, and General Manager, Fluorine Products, Europe, Middle East, and Africa at Honeywell Advanced Materials, expressed enthusiasm for the growing trend of district heating across European municipalities. “Fortum’s decision to utilise Solstice ze underlines the value of safe, reliable, and energy-efficient refrigerants. These ultra-low-GWP HFO refrigerants play a vital role in supporting cleaner heat production methods, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and mitigating environmental impacts while maintaining superior performance. Additionally, Solstice ze heat pumps’ safety allows for installation in densely urbanized areas.”
Honeywell has been at the forefront of sustainability efforts, investing over one billion dollars in research, development, and new capacity for its Solstice technology more than a decade ago, anticipating the growing need for lower-GWP solutions to combat climate change. The Solstice product line encompasses a wide range of applications, including refrigerants for vehicles, commercial and residential air conditioning, heat pumps, blowing agents for insulation, aerosol propellants, and solvents for cleaning solutions, with ongoing evaluations for use in metered-dose inhalers.
The adoption of Honeywell’s Solstice technology has already helped avoid the potential release of over 326 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, equivalent to the carbon emissions from nearly 70 million gasoline-powered passenger vehicles annually.
As a testimony to its commitment to the environment, Honeywell recently pledged to achieve carbon neutrality in its operations and facilities by 2035. With a strong track record of reducing greenhouse gas intensity and a long history of innovation in aiding customers in their environmental and social objectives, about 60% of Honeywell’s 2022 new product introduction research and development investment was dedicated to ESG-oriented outcomes.
