Students Train with Ground-Breaking Technology for New Biomass Power Plant in Scotland
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Scotland-based Tullis Russell Papermakers and RWE npower renewable recently flew three local students to Finland on a special, all-expenses-paid exchange visit. The student trainees, all from Adam Smith College with various campuses across the county of Fife in Scotland, were selected to work with cutting-edge technology at Metso Power facilities in Tampere, Southern Finland, that will be used with a boiler system Metso is constructing to power RWE npower renewables' £200 million state-of the-art biomass plant at its Markinch site in Scotland. The new plant will supply all of Tullis Russell's steam and electricity requirements, reducing the paper mill's fossil fuel carbon dioxide emissions by some 250,000 metric tons per year.
The students spent a week with Metso Power experts. They were briefed on the boiler's automation systems and given the opportunity to get hands-on experience with the technology by assisting with a program of tests. The trip for the three NC Electrical installation (pre-apprenticeship) students formed part of their second work placement at the biomass plant. The boiler is a key component to the successful implementation of the power plant, and the student's involvement helped to provide them with a greater insight into the industry and the pioneering technology being used at the power plant.
Peter Wilson, project manager, from RWE npower renewables said that "Metso Power is a global supplier of sustainable technology, and the manufacture of the boiler and gas cleaning systems are at the heart of the biomass plant. The three lads have shown great enthusiasm throughout their time with both ourselves and Tullis Russell, and we would like to thank Metso Power for giving them the opportunity to see first-hand how the control systems are put together."
Metso's Peter Anson noted that "the student's attitude about the work throughout the week was excellent; they were very keen to learn and applied themselves well to the tasks. We have since sent all three testimonials that they will be able to take with them into their working lives. All three are a credit to Adam Smith College, and we are delighted to have been able to help facilitate this visit for them."
The three students—Michael Wilson (17) and Jamie Forrest (21) from Glenrothes, and Kieran Finnegan (17) from Leven—have successfully completed block two of their work placement, with the final block due to commence in May. All have rotated between the new biomass plant and Tullis Russell's papermaking facility, ensuring they get a wide range of skills and experience throughout their time.
The Biomass Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant is scheduled to be fully operational in mid-2013, creating up to 40 permanent jobs at the plant and at the offsite fuel processing plant at Cardenden. During construction, more than 400 temporary jobs have been created. I
In the photo below (l-r) are Tony Dawson from RWE npower renewables, Metso's Peter Anson, and the three students: Jamie Forest, Michael Alexander Wilson, and Kieron James Finnegan. Metso's Tiina Kaunisto is pictured at the front
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