Metso to build the world's largest biomass gasification plant
8 Jun 2011
Vaasa, Finland – Metso will supply a 140MW bio-gasification plant to Vaskiluodon Voima Oy in Vaasa. The bio-gasification plant, which will be adjoined to the existing 565MW coal-fired power plant, will be fuelled mainly by forest residues.
The biogas produced will then be combusted with coal. The bio-gasification plant enables Vaskiluodon Voima to replace 25-40% of the coal it now uses with renewable energy, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 230ktpa.
Vaskiluodon Voima’s total investment is approximately Euro40 million, of which Metso’s delivery represents more than half. The new bio-gasification plant is to start up in December 2012.
Metso’s delivery encompasses a complete solution including fuel handling, the drying plant and gasifier, the modifications needed for the existing coal-fired boiler, and the entire plant automation and information management systems.
Vaskiluodon Voima’s biomass gasification plant will be the first in the world on such a large scale, according to Metso. The operation will employ about 100 people.
“The majority of the world’s energy production is still heavily relying on coal. Metso’s new bio-gasification technology, including biomass drying, offers a new, cost-effective alternative for large coal-fired plants to increase the share of biomass and reduce the proportion of coal and emissions,” says Juhani Isaksson, Product Manager for Metso.
Mauri Blomberg, MD of Vaskiluodon Voima, explains that the investment allows a relatively low-cost and rapid deployment of bioenergy: “Metso proved to be a partner that could supply a comprehensive bio-gasification technology solution, which combines the power plant process, biomass drying, modifications to the coal-fired boiler and automation into one competitive and functioning unit.
“The biogas produced is ideal for co-firing with coal or other fossil fuels. It would also be possible to combust biomass with the coal, but then the process would require uniform, dry biomass.
“The significant advantage with Metso’s solutions is the capability for biomass diversity, thanks to the drying that is part of the gasification plant and involves the use of surplus plant heat. So, we can use, for example, moist wood chips which is an affordable solution.”
According to Blomberg, that fuel mix diversity gives Vaskiluodon Voima flexibility also in purchasing a wide variety of biomasses. “If the availability of biomass would face temporary disruptions, Metso’s solution will enable the original coal capacity to be taken into operation,” he notes.
“The use of locally sourced biomass benefits the regional economy by about an additional 15 million euros every year. Currently, this money is spent on buying coal and buying the rights for carbon dioxide emissions. It is also encouraging that the switch to local biomass reduces the dependence on imported fuels,” Blomberg said.
Metso’s delivery for Vaskiluodon Voima is a comprehensive solution that includes the reception and pre-treatment of biomass, a large-scale KUVO dryer, gasifier, modifications to the existing coal-fired boiler plant, and the entire supply of electrics and automation. The order is included in the Energy and Environmental Technology order intake for the second quarter.
In the drying plant, wet biomass is prepared to be suitable for gasification. The gas is produced from various biomasses, mainly from wood chips. The automation scope includes automation and information management systems for the gasifier and fuel handling, which are connected to the current Metso DNA system, and control changes in the old coal boiler. Vaskiluodon Voima’s existing coal-fired power boiler is also supplied by Metso.
EU member states must provide 20% of final energy consumption from renewable energy production by 2020. In Finland, this renewable energy share is already over 25% with a 2020 target of 38%.
Vaskiluodon Voima is a combined heat and power production company, which is jointly owned by EPV Energia Oy and Pohjolan Voima Oy.
Vaskiluodon Voima has two thermal power plants, in Vaasa and in Seinäjoki. EPV Energia Oy is Finnish electricity supply company in Vaasa.
Pohjolan Voima is a national energy company, whose main products are electricity and heat. In 2010, the Vaskiluodon Voima generated 1,571GWh of electricity and 731GWh of district heat.
