Valmet to supply advanced automation solution to Oulun Energia's new biopower plant

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Valmet will supply an extensive automation solution to Oulun Energia's new biopower plant, currently being built in the Laanila industrial park in Oulu, Finland.

This order for automation technology is a continuation of the main equipment order from Oulun Energia placed in January 2018.

The order was included in Valmet's second quarter of 2018 orders received. System commissioning is planned for 2019, and the plant

The new 215 MW biopower plant will operate with a multifuel principle, using approximately 70% wood, 15% recycled fuels and 15% peat. The plant aims to support Oulun Energia's goal of carbon neutrality.

Seamless operation

"With Valmet DNA automation solution, we will have the ability to interconnect our Laanila and Toppila plants, and optimize their energy production efficiency," says Jukka Salovaara, Project Director, Oulun Energia. "Moreover, having both equipment and control technology from a single supplier will allow the Laanila facility to be a seamlessly operating unit, benefiting from ever-more streamlined and controlled processes."

Once in production, the Laanila plant will replace the Toppila I power plant unit, which will not be able to meet new environmental requirements to be set in 2020 and will be removed from production. The Toppila II power plant unit, in use since 1995, will continue to produce energy until the end of its lifecycle, estimated to be in 2035.

Deepening cooperation over the years

As announced earlier this year, the core equipment of the Laanila plant - the multifuel boiler and the flue gas cleaning and condensing plant - will also be delivered from Valmet. Now the project has been extended to include a Valmet DNA automation system to control and support operations throughout the entire facility.

Valmet's automation technology has been used in Oulun Energia's power plant units Toppila I and Toppila II for years. Therefore, the latest order for the new multifuel Laanila plant is a continuation of years of successful cooperation between the two companies.

"We are glad to be able to continue and further deepen our cooperation with Oulun Energia. Equipping the new plant with a Valmet DNA automation system is especially meaningful in this project, since both the boiler and the flue gas treatment plant will also be supplied by Valmet," says Olli Koivumäki, Sales Director, Automation, Valmet.

Valmet's scope of delivery

Valmet's scope of delivery includes a Valmet DNA automation system; safety-related systems; an information management system, including applications for emission monitoring and power plant key performance indicator (KPI) calculations.

About Oulun Energia Oy

Oulun Energia Group is the leading energy company in Northern Finland. Its operations cover the entire value chain of the energy industry, from the production of raw materials, electricity and heat, to sales and distribution of energy, as well as a wide range of services. The Group employs nearly 400 professionals.

Oulun Energia's Laanila project is one of the biggest investments in the Oulu region for a long time. The estimated cost of the power plant alone is approximately EUR 200 million.

Source: Valmet