March 12 , 2013 Tuesday
Vaskiluodon Voima Oy has inaugurated the
world’s largest biomass gasification plant, which was supplied by Metso,
in Vaasa, Finland. The plant was inaugurated by the Finnish Minister of
Labour Lauri Ihalainen on March 11th.
Vaskiluodon Voima’s plant is ground-breaking in many ways, as this is
the first time in the world that biomass gasification is being adopted
on such a large scale for replacement of fossil fuels.
Clean gas from biomass
The technology of the new plant is based on Metso’s long-term
development work. Metso’s delivery included fuel handling, a large-scale
dryer and a circulating fluidized bed gasifier, modification work on
the existing coal boiler and a Metso DNA automation system. The
bio-gasification plant was constructed as part of the existing
coal-fired power plant, and the produced gas will be combusted along
with coal in the existing coal boiler.
Metso’s pioneering role is illustrated by the fact that the company
delivered its first plant using gasification technology back in the
1980s. A major challenge in the Vaskiluoto project was the sheer scope –
the now inaugurated plant is the world’s largest biomass gasification
plant.
The plant started up at the turn of the year. The contract for the new
plant was announced in June 2011, and Metso started the construction at
Vaskiluoto in April of the following year, making the actual
construction phase fairly short.
“The operational experiences so far indicate that the 140-MW
bio-gasification plant functions as planned, and the produced gas burns
cleanly in the coal boiler and reduces emissions,” says Mauri Blomberg,
Managing Director, Vaskiluodon Voima.
Sights set on energy turnaround
Nearly half of the coal used by the plant can be replaced with gasified
biomass. This makes the solution highly environmentally friendly,
enables the flexible use of different fuels and significantly extends
the life of the current power plant. “The commissioning of the
gasification plant is a major step in our company’s target of using
mainly domestic fuels for heat and electricity production. This can be
considered a complete energy turnaround,” says Rami Vuola, Chairman of
the Board of Vaskiluodon Voima and CEO of EPV Energia Oy, joint owner of
Vaskiluodon Voima.
The recent gasification technology projects are an indication of Metso’s
strategy of offering energy solutions in which technologies related to
fuel refining have been brought forth alongside traditional combustion.
In May 2012, a similar event was held in Lahti, Finland, with the
inauguration of the world’s first waste gasification plant.
“I’m sure that Vaskiluoto’s investment in increasing the use of
renewable energy will draw major international attention. Coal powered
plants can be made greener, and Vaskiluoto’s plant is leading the way,”
says Jyrki Holmala, President of Metso’s Power business line. “Coal
boilers still account for the majority of power production in the world.
Bio-gasification technology of this scale offers a new, cost-effective
option for increasing the share of biomass and, consequently, for
significantly decreasing the use of and emissions from coal.”
Later on in the inauguration day, Metso organized a technology seminar
in Vaasa, which was attended by some 50 customers from around Europe. A
visit to the new gasification plant was also on the agenda.
Vaskiluodon Voima Oy is equally owned by the energy companies EPV
Energia Oy and Pohjolan Voima Oy. The company’s power plants, located in
Vaasa and Seinäjoki, produce electricity and district heating.
Metso’s pulp, paper and power professionals specialize in processes,
machinery, equipment, services, paper machine clothing and filter
fabrics. Our offering and experience cover the entire process life cycle
including new production lines, rebuilds and services.
www.metso.com/pulpandpaper, www.metso.com/power,
www.twitter.com/MetsoPulpPaper
Metso is a global supplier of technology and services to customers in
the process industries, including mining, construction, pulp and paper,
power, and oil and gas. Our 30,000 professionals based in over 50
countries contribute to sustainability and profitability to customers
worldwide. Metso’s shares are listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd.
www.metso.com, www.twitter.com/metsogroup
For further information, please contact:
Jyrki Holmala, President, Power business line, Metso, tel. +358 400 636 956
Juhani Isaksson, Director, Gasification, Power business line, Metso, tel. +358 40 830 4402
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