The energy transition and modernization energy plants
There is a lot of conversation around the energy transition and modernization energy plants.
After all, updating the efficiency and technology of old energy plants is one of the areas of the energy transition that has the most significant impacts.
Metsä Group’s bioproduct mill in Äänekoski was one such project.
The bioproduct mill that started its production in August 2017 was, at the time, the largest forest industry investment in Finnish history (€1.2 billion).
Our Engineering Manager Jari Nurkka returned to Sweco when the design of Metsä Group’s Äänekoski bioproduct mill was about to begin in 2015.
Metso Group’s new large-scale project was appealing due to how different it was.
Äänekoski’s massive bioproduct mill became a fossil-free pulp mill that produces more than double the energy it consumes.
Our experts in key Finnish power plant projects
The Äänekoski bioproduct mill is by no means the only key plant project Jari has been involved in.
Another was Helen Oy’s preliminary planning and first phase project for the seasonal storage of seawater in Kruunuvuorenranta.
The green energy project utilises existing oil storage caverns by pumping warm seawater into them.
Heat pumps are used to produce district heating from the stored seawater for housing in the area. The system can also be used to produce district cooling for the nearby area.
Of his current interesting projects, Jari highlights the design and construction of Vantaan Energia Oy’s High-Temperature Incineration Plant.
The High-Temperature Incineration Plant EPCM project is scheduled to the handed over to the customer in July 2025.
“Even though I’ve been involved with designing and implementing various plants for two decades now, none of them have been plants like this with a rotary kiln,” Jari says.
The aim of the High-Temperature Incineration Plant is to make Finland more self-sufficient with regard to the processing of hazardous waste.
In the future, the significant amount of hazardous waste that is currently exported to other locations in Europe will be processed in this new plant.
The district heat produced by the plant will replace the need to use natural gas and promote the transition away from fossil fuels.
Sweco is responsible for the design, procurement, project management and development services of the High-Temperature Incineration Plant.
Heat pump plants are being built and old ones updated at an increasing rate
In Finland, new power plants are now being built and old ones updated at an increasing rate.
Petri Pesonen, a specialist working for our energy unit is involved in a project in which Helen is constructing a new heat pump plant in Eiranranta.
This heat pump plant produces carbon-neutral district heating and cooling from the waste energy of treated waste water.
“It has been amazing to be involved in projects that have a positive impact on our society. At Sweco, we often get to participate in the building of something entirely new, which is fascinating to me,” Petri describes.
“This is also the case with the Helen project. In the future, the experience gained in the utilisation of low-temperature waste heat can play an important role in energy production if the plant is duplicated elsewhere in Finland or Europe,” Petri says.
Even experienced experts learn at the forefront of the energy transition
In the context of the energy transition, the work in the preliminary analysis and design phases is extensive and requires even experienced professionals to develop their competence in many ways.
“When designing the seasonal seawater storage for Helen, I got to learn about the decomposition of algae and the spreading and management of the resulting odorous gases, for example – alongside facing many other challenges! Luckily, we have experts in these areas within the company,” Jari describes.
The energy transition is accelerating constantly.
For experts in various fields, this provides unique work opportunities, since us engineers are challenged by both the scope of the projects and the new technologies.
The combustion-based production of electricity and district cooling is decreasing at a rapid rate.
Heat pump plants are becoming more commonplace and, for example, the utilisation of hydrogen as a fuel, energy carrier or energy storing medium is only taking its first steps.
“It’s interesting to follow the development of the energy sector. A lot is currently happening in the power-to-X area. There are plenty of new things to explore and even unsolved challenges at the level of concrete design,” Petri says.
“Obviously, new things are always appealing. An explosive element such as hydrogen brings both new challenges and possibilities into the engineering process. The design also involves a great deal of redeveloping processes, which is fascinating to me,” Jari adds.
The day-to-day at Sweco promoting the energy transition – How does it feel?
“It feels good,” Jari says to start off.
“Even though we are a big company, the bureaucracy has been kept to a minimum. There are also plenty of work opportunities at Sweco offices throughout Finland,” Jari continues.
“And professionals from different parts of Finland take part in the projects,” Petri adds.
“Even if you have a lot of experience yourself, there are always things you don’t personally know about. It’s a wonderful thing that we always have someone to ask and that everyone is glad to help,” Jari says.
He then adds: “And we enjoy working together, too. There’s always things to talk about – on topic and off. We go out to eat together when we’re at the office and catch up. We often work in separate projects so it’s nice to hear how the others are doing. At the same time, you may happen upon something in which you can help your colleague.”
Are you interested in a career at the forefront of the energy transition?
What kinds of career plans do you have?
What if you came to Sweco to progress the energy transition and your career by getting involved in tackling climate change?
The energy transition is a growing new field that will employ many experts in the coming years and decades both in Finland and abroad.
As a big company, we can offer you alternative career paths and steps.
You can progress from a designer to a project manager – or if you want new tasks – we can offer you an opportunity to work in another line of business.
Jari Nurkka is a good example of this.
“My own job description has expanded as a result of my own wishes. I wanted new challenges and, once I brought this up with my manager, my wishes were taken into account,” Jari says.
“I’ve had similar experiences. I think the Sweco management listens if you want to switch roles or develop your competence in a different direction,” Petri adds.
Sweco is carrying out and about to kick off many new projects related to the energy transition.
We are also involved in Finland’s most interesting green transition projects which provide amazing opportunities for experts in a variety of fields.
Finland is perfectly positioned to take on the energy transition, which experts in the field with security, stability and career development opportunities.