Consider the pattern on the facade of Heleneholmsverket. It might seem abstract. But it tells a story.
Welcome to Heleneholmsverket in Malmö. This combined heat and power plant has a fascinating history. It provides district heating and once produced electricity for the region. Let’s dive into its story.
Heleneholmsverket started its life in 1960. Back then it was known as Heleneholms Fjärrvärmecentral. It became a combined heat and power plant in 1966. The plant is owned and operated by Eon SE.
The architect Hans Westman designed Heleneholmsverket. The pattern on its facade is quite special. It represents stylized flames. These flames are inspired by the Colombian indigenous people. The pattern consists of square fields. These fields feature different shades of blue and black. If you are interested in the original design, visit the Skissernas Museum in Lund. There you will find an earlier sketch with more vibrant red hues.
Inside the main chimney are two graffiti works from 1991. These were created by Pike and Dwayne. The highest chimney of Heleneholmsverket reaches 130 meters.
Heleneholmsverket has four steam boilers. Since 2019 these boilers have been fueled by biogas. Three of the steam boilers have a capacity of 150 MW each. One has a capacity of 70 MW. These boilers power two condensers. They can deliver 120+230 MW of heat. Two steam turbines can deliver 40+90 MW of electricity. A flue gas condensation system was installed in 2000. This reduced nitrogen oxide emissions by 55 percent. It also increased efficiency by 10 percent. If the electricity output is reduced to 55 MWe, the plant can produce a maximum of 370 MW of heat.
For heat storage, there are four accumulator tanks. Each tank holds 2500 cubic meters of water. This allows for the storage of 600 MWh of heat. The district heating plant has six gas and oil boilers. Each boiler has a capacity of 20 MW. These are mainly used during spring and autumn. Five diesel generators act as a backup power source. They can deliver 8.5 MW of electrical power.
There were plans to decommission Heleneholmsverket. It was to be replaced by the Öresundsverket. It might have been used for backup power. The Öresundsverket was upgraded and put back into service in 2009. But it was permanently decommissioned between 2020 and 2021.
Electricity production at Heleneholmsverket stopped in August 2019. Since then, the plant has only produced district heating. However, the electricity production capacity is part of the grid capacity reserve. This is based on an agreement between Eon and Svenska kraftnät.
In April 2019 Eon SE warned of electricity shortages in Skåne. This was in response to proposed tax increases on combined heat and power plants.
Today Heleneholmsverket remains vital for Malmö’s district heating. The older district heating plant is being replaced. It will be replaced with a modern facility. This ensures a reliable heat supply. The new peak and reserve heating plant can start up quickly. It can deliver heat on short notice. This is useful during long periods of cold weather. It is also helpful during operational disruptions at other facilities. The new Heleneholms peak heat boilers will primarily run on biogas or bio oil.
Heleneholmsverket is more than just a power plant. It is a key part of Malmö’s infrastructure. Its design reflects art and innovation. It is a facility that has adapted to changing energy needs. It will continue to play a crucial role in the city’s future.