HELSINKI,
June 8, 2011
(Press Release) -
Metso will supply a 140 megawatt bio-gasification plant to Vaskiluodon Voima Oy in Vaasa, Finland. The bio-gasification plant, which will be adjoined to the existing 565 megawatt coal-fired power plant, will mainly use forest residues for fuel. The biogas produced will then be combusted with coal. The bio-gasification plant enables Vaskiluodon Voima to replace 25-40 percent of the coal it now uses with renewable energy, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 230,000 tons per year.
Vaskiluodon Voima's total investment is approximately 40 million euros, of which Metso's delivery represents more than half. The new bio-gasification plant will be taken into operation in December 2012. Metso's delivery is a complete solution including fuel handling, the drying plant and gasifier, the modifications needed for the existing coal-fired boiler, and the entire plant automation and information management systems.
Biomass diversity is a major advantage
Vaskiluodon Voima's biomass gasification plant will be the first in the world on such a large scale.
"The majority of the world's energy production is still heavily relying on coal. Metso's new bio-gasification technology, including biomass drying, offers a new, cost-effective alternative for large coal-fired plants to increase the share of biomass and reduce the proportion of coal and emissions," says Juhani Isaksson, Product Manager for Metso.
Mauri Blomberg, Managing Director of Vaskiluodon Voima, explains that the investment allows a relatively low-cost and rapid deployment of bioenergy: "Metso proved to be a partner that could supply a comprehensive bio-gasification technology solution, which combines the power plant process, biomass drying, modifications to the coal-fired boiler and automation into one competitive and functioning unit".
"The biogas produced is ideal for co-firing with coal or other fossil fuels. It would also be possible to combust biomass with the coal, but then the process would require uniform, dry biomass," Blomberg continues.
"The significant advantage with Metso's solutions is the capability for biomass diversity, thanks to the drying that is part of the gasification plant and involves the use of surplus plant heat. So, we can use, for example, moist wood chips which is an affordable solution."
Blomberg also points out that the new bio-gasification plant construction work can be accomplished without interruptions to the existing power plant operations.
Local biomass sourcing creates new jobs
Mauri Blomberg says that fuel mix diversity gives Vaskiluodon Voima flexibility also in purchasing a wide variety of biomasses. "If the availability of biomass would face temporary disruptions, Metso's solution will enable the original coal capacity to be taken into operation," he notes.
Fuel diversity also creates new jobs in the region, especially in the fuel supply. The gasification plant's direct impact on annual employment will be about 100 persons.
"The use of locally sourced biomass benefits the regional economy by about an additional 15 million euros every year. Currently, this money is spent on buying coal and buying the rights for carbon dioxide emissions. It is also encouraging that the switch to local biomass reduces the dependence on imported fuels," Blomberg says.
Turnkey delivery from Metso
Metso's delivery for Vaskiluodon Voima is a comprehensive solution that includes the reception and pre-treatment of biomass, a large-scale KUVO dryer, gasifier, modifications to the existing coal-fired boiler plant, and the entire supply of electrics and automation. The order is included in the Energy and Environmental Technology order intake for the second quarter.
In the drying plant, wet biomass is prepared to be suitable for gasification. The gas is produced from various biomasses, mainly from wood chips. The automation scope includes automation and information management systems for the gasifier and fuel handling, which are connected to the current Metso DNA system, and control changes in the old coal boiler. Vaskiluodon Voima's existing coal-fired power boiler is also supplied by Metso.
The European Union member states have been required to provide 20% of final energy consumption from renewable energy production by 2020. In Finland, this renewable energy share is already over 25% with a 2020 target of 38%. Utilization of biomass is an important part of renewable energy production in many countries. Vaskiluodon Voima Oy is a combined heat and power production company. The company is owned by EPV Energia Oy and Pohjolan Voima Oy in equal shares. Vaskiluodon Voima has two thermal power plants, in Vaasa and in Seinäjoki. EPV Energia Oy is Finnish electricity supply company situated in Vaasa. Pohjolan Voima is a national energy company, whose main products are electricity and heat. In 2010, the Vaskiluodon Voima generated 1,571 GWh of electricity and 731 GWh of district heat.
