Valmet, Finland, will supply automation for PorvoonEnergia Oy's biomass-fired boiler plant currently under construction in Loviisa, Finland. The automation will be commissioned in late April 2016. The value of the order was not disclosed.

"Valmet's automation system is an overall easy solution for us since our operators and automation maintenance personnel are familiar with it. Our choice was also affected by Valmet's local support and previous successful projects," said Marko Heikkilä, automation supervisor at PorvoonEnergia Oy.

The new 10 MW biomass-fired boiler plant will increase PorvoonEnergia's district heat production capacity and will be the main production plant in Loviisa's district heating network. It will be fueled with bark and wood chips.

"We have been cooperating successfully with PorvoonEnergia for a long time. In this project, we make full use of our strong automation know-how related to district heat production and our cost-efficient remote control concept," explained JarmoPartanen, sales manager at Valmet.

Valmet's delivery includes a Valmet DNA automation system, a safety interlocking system, engineering, installation, and commissioning. The new plant will be remotely controlled from PorvoonEnergia's biomass-fired power plant in Tolkkinen. 

PorvoonEnergia Oy is responsible for the production of heat and electricity sales, and distribution of heat and natural gas, electricity sales and administration in Porvoo, and for the production, distribution, and sales of heat in Loviisa. Since the beginning of 2015, electricity sold by PorvoonEnergia has been totally carbon dioxide free, and the company is also close to 100% zero emissions in heat production. The new biomass-fired boiler plant investment in Loviisa is a significant step towards reaching the target of emission-free heat production.