Finland-headed forest industry and energy technology major Valmet Oyj has announced that it has been selected by compatriot municipal energy utility Helen Oy to convert a coal-fired district heat boiler to bubbling fluidized bed (BFB) combustion to enable wood pellet firing at the Salmisaari ‘A’ power plant in Helsinki.
The conversion is part of the energy company’s goal of phasing out coal and at the same time strengthening the construction of a sustainable energy system.
Our goal is carbon-neutral energy production in 2030. Sustainable bioenergy is part of the overall solution to achieve our goal. The versatile production structure ensures the reliability of heat supply even in freezing weather. This project is an important step for us on the way to carbon neutrality. We trust Valmet’s abilities to complete this demanding project on time, said Juhani Aaltonen, responsible for Helen’s sustainable energy solutions.
Modify existing boiler to BFB
Valmet’s turnkey delivery, the value of which has not been disclosed, includes a fuel conversion from pulverized coal to wood pellets on a hot water boiler.
It will be modified to a bubbling fluidized bed (BFB) boiler with a fuel capacity of 150 MW.
The delivery includes a flue gas cleaning system and a heat recovery system and modification to the Valmet DNA automation system, as well as all necessary auxiliary systems.
The converted boiler will be handed over to the customer in January 2025. After the conversion, the plant will produce district heat with extremely high efficiency – the flue gas temperature at the stack will be only 13 oC.
Converting an existing coal-fired boiler to biofuel combustion is a quick and cost-effective way to transition from fossil to renewable fuels. Valmet has decades of experience in successful boiler conversions, said Niina Ollikka, Director, Energy Business Unit, Rebuilds and Conversions, Valmet.
The project is a continuation of the good cooperation between Helen and Valmet.
In 2018, Valmet started up a 92 MWth pellet-fired heating plant at the Salmisaari power plant area, and this year the heat recovery plant belonging to the Vuosaari bioheat plant will be completed.
