Valmet to modernize automation and remote control for Kuopion Energia's district heating plants in Kuopio, Finland

Valmet Corporation's press release on June 9, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. EET

Valmet will modernize the automation and remote control of Kuopion Energia's district heating plants in Kuopio, Finland. The outdated systems will be replaced by modern technology in six district heating plants, three district heating containers and 11 pumping stations. At the same time, all the automation systems will be connected to the automation system that is currently used at the company's Haapaniemi power plant. The modernized automation will start up by December 2016.

The value of the order will not be disclosed. The order is included in Valmet's second quarter 2015 orders received. Typically the order value of automation system deliveries ranges from below EUR one million to EUR three million.

"The modernization of the old automation systems was necessary since spare parts were no longer available for them. Additionally, we want to improve the availability and reliability of our automation and remote control at the district heating plants in order to be able to run them together with our power plants in an energy-efficient and economical way. By expanding our existing Valmet DNA automation system to cover the district heating plants too, we will get the best result both operationally and economically," says Reima Lassila, Director, District Heating, Kuopion Energia.

Plant control and maintenance from one location

"After modernization, the plants will operate within the same automation and reporting system as the Haapaniemi plant without any separate programmable logic controllers. In the future, it will be possible to control, maintain and make changes to them centrally from one location. Despite integration, they will function independently and can be operated locally, for example, during disturbances in the company's internal communications network," says Olli Koivumäki, Sales Director from Valmet.

Valmet's delivery includes a Valmet DNA automation system, a Valmet DNA Operate Trend and Event Archive, engineering, installation and commissioning. Valmet will also provide the customer with local customer support.

Rautaniemi, one of Kuopion Energia's district heating plants, will have Valmet modernize and integrate its automation and remote control with the same system as at the Haapaniemi power plant. Image: Kuopion Energia

Information about the customer Kuopion Energia

Kuopion Energia produces electricity and district heat through co-generation at its Haapaniemi power plants and with biogas in Pitkälahti. The main fuels include domestic biofuels and peat. The company's annual electricity sales amount to 700 GWh and district heat sales to 900 GWh. The company has about 50,000 electricity customers and about 6,000 district heat customers as well as a staff of about 160 people. Kuopion Energia Group is owned by the city of Kuopio.

VALMET CORPORATION
Corporate Communications

For further information, please contact:
Olli Koivumäki, Sales Director, Automation business line, Valmet, tel. +358 40 749 7314

Valmet Corporation is the leading global developer and supplier of technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. Valmet's vision is to become the global champion in serving its customers.

Valmet's services cover everything from maintenance outsourcing to mill and plant improvements and spare parts. The strong technology offering includes pulp mills, tissue, board and paper production lines, as well as power plants for bio-energy production. Valmet's advanced automation solutions range from single measurements to mill wide turnkey automation projects.

Valmet's net sales in 2014 were approximately EUR 2.5 billion. Our 12,000 professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers' performance forward - every day. Valmet's head office is in Espoo, Finland and its shares are listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd.