Metso to deliver world’s largest biomass gasification plant to Vaskiluodon Voima in Vaasa
Published Jun 08, 2011 09.02.29 +2 GMT
The investment enables the replacement of coal with domestic wood-based renewable fuels and reduces carbon dioxide emissions
Metso Corporation’s press release on June 8, 2011 at 09:00 a.m. local time
Metso will supply Vaskiluodon Voima Oy in Vaasa, Finland, with a 140-megawatt bio-gasification plant. Vaskiluodon Voima’s total investment is about 40 million euros, over half of which is attributable to Metso’s delivery. The bio-gasification plant is scheduled for commissioning in December 2012. Metso’s full-scope solution includes fuel handling, a drying plant and a circulating fluidized bed gasifier, modification work on the existing coal boiler, and automation and IT systems.
The bio-gasification plant will be constructed as part of the existing coal-fired power plant. The plant will be fueled primarily with wood-based biomasses, particularly forest residue, and the produced gas will be combusted along with coal in the coal boiler. The delivery includes the drying plant where biomass will be dried to the proper level for gasification. As a result of the new solution, close to 25-40 percent of the coal can be replaced with renewable energy, which will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 230,000 tons per year. This is the first time in the world that biomass gasification is being adopted on such a large scale.
”Metso has a great opportunity to offer a solution that includes biomass drying technology and gasification. This provides the possibility for a diverse range of biofuels and a significant share of biomass in the combustion process. At the same time, our cost- and eco-efficient solution provides an opportunity to significantly increase the use of biofuel. The size class of the delivery makes this delivery interesting to large coal-fired power plants around the world,” explains Juhani Isaksson, Metso’s Manager responsible for gasifiers and pyrolysis systems.
”The fact that Metso is a full-scope supplier of bio-gasification plants and is capable of combining the power plant process, biomass drying, modification of the existing coal boiler, and the automation into a functional and competitive package supported the decision to start collaboration with Metso. A significant advantage of Metso’s gasification solution is the diversity of the fuel selection; it gives us flexibility in acquiring biomass,” says Mauri Blomberg, Managing Director, Vaskiluodon Voima.
Vaskiluodon Voima Oy is a power and heat production company equally owned by EPV Energia Oy and Pohjolan Voima Oy. EPV Energia Oy is a Finnish company specializing in power and heat production and procurements, and its domicile is Vaasa, Finland. Pohjolan Voima Oy is a national energy company; its main products are power and heat.
Technical information
Metso’s delivery to Vaskiluodon Voima is a full-scope solution that includes biomass reception, pre-handling, a large-scale KUVO dryer and a circulating fluidized bed gasifier, the modification work for the existing coal boiler plant, and the electrification and automation for the entire delivery. The order is included in Metso’s Energy and Environmental Technology’s Q2/2011 orders received. The automation delivery includes the automation and IT systems for the gasifier and the fuel handling integrated with the existing Metso DNA system, and adjustments to the existing coal boiler. Vaskiluodon Voima’s current coal boiler was also supplied by Metso.
Metso is a global supplier of sustainable technology and services for mining, construction, power generation, automation, recycling and the pulp and paper industries. We have about 28,500 employees in more than 50 countries. www.metso.com
For further information for the press, please contact:
Juhani Isaksson, Manager, Gasification and Pyrolysis Systems, Power business line, Metso, tel. +358 (0)40 830 4402
Mauri Blomberg, Managing Director, Vaskiluodon Voima Oy, tel. +358 (0)50 377 7020