Case Study: IKEA, Dublin – Ireland’s biggest closed loop geothermal heating & cooling system

Image Credit: alamy BD0DEA – IKEA, Ballymun, Dublin, Ireland

Project Background

IKEA have a tradition of embedding sustainability in their stores and the store in Ballymun, Dublin was no different.  Opened in 2009, the store features what is probably the biggest closed-loop geothermal system in the island of Ireland.  It is a type example for what can be done for other big buildings, and yet is not widely known about.

🌍 Geothermal Heat Pump System

• Among the largest closed‐loop geothermal installations in Europe (and the UK/Ireland at the time).
• Featuring 150 boreholes drilled approximately 120 m deep beneath the car park.
• Designed to handle both space heating and full cooling loads for the ~30,600 m² building.
• Total thermal capacity is about 1.5–2.0 MWth, and it completely meets heating/cooling needs via a Building Management System.

Image Credit: Niall McCormack

🔥 Biomass Integration

• Biomass boiler (650 kW woodchip system) supports domestic hot water and heating where heat pumps aren’t fully sufficient.
• Woodchip fuel is sourced largely from onsite pallet and waste wood, boosting onsite recycling (90% recycling rates first month) and reducing CO₂ emissions.

🚰 Other Green Features

• Rainwater harvesting for toilet flushing and landscape irrigation—about one-third of rainfall collected.
• A high-performance BMS, occupancy‐controlled ventilation, and efficient lighting to optimize energy performance.

🌱 Environmental & Performance Impact

• Planning mandated at least 60% carbon savings using renewables; geothermal and biomass systems delivered 65% annual emissions reduction—comparable to taking about 300 homes off-grid.
• Efficient heat pump coverage of all space heating and cooling loads offers a comprehensive fossil-fuel‑free system.

🔍 Summary

The Ballymun, Dublin IKEA is a showcase of sustainable building design: combining a large-scale closed-loop geothermal system, biomass boiler, rainwater harvesting, and intelligent building controls. It constructs a fossil-free energy ecosystem contributing a major proportion of the store’s heating and cooling needs.

Want to follow Ikea’s example for a big building project you’re working on?  Hit the Contact button!