Metso to modernize Salmisaari power plants

Helsingin Energia is teaming up with Metso to modernize the automation and field instrumentation at its Salmisaari A and B power plants in Helsinki, Finland. The new automation is set to replace the existing automation system installed in Plant B in 1984 to produce electricity and district heat, as well as the system installed in Plant A in 1986 to produce district heat. Over time, the plants’ main fuel of coal will be replaced with pellets, beginning with a 5 – 10% share at first.

The unified automation and accurate process controls are expected to contribute to improved process management of the Salmisaari power plants. Metso will be supplying two Metso DNA automation systems, a field instrumentation system, a safety interlocking system, replacements for programmable logic controls, field engineering, and an emissions-reporting tool to meet present directives, installation, testing and commissioning. Modernization at Plant B is scheduled to start in May 2014 and expected to be completed by September 2014. Plant A will be modernized in 2015. Helsingin Energia is among the largest energy companies in Finland, and supplies electric energy to about 400,000 customers in Finland and covers more than 90% of the heat demand in the capital city. Metso has earlier delivered automation to Helsinki Energia’s Kellosaari backup power plant, Salmisaari coal storage inside a cliff and water treatment. These will now be integrated into the new automation. The entity will utilize the reporting system earlier supplied by Metso. In the future, all power plants and processes will be operated from the same control room with uniform user interfaces.