Efficiency leap for CHP plant delivers million-scale savings

Falu Energi & Vatten is a Swedish energy and water utility where district heating and cooling production form the core of operations. Before the partnership began, the facility struggled with significant operational challenges. The company decided to elevate the performance of its KVV2 combined heat and power (CHP) plant to a new level by resolving these long-standing issues together with IndMeas.

The initial assessment showed that performance at KVV2 was hindered by high electricity and sand consumption, burning ash, and limited district heating output. HeatHummingbird’s DSA user interface revealed that the boiler was being operated outside of its permitted limits during the winter months. Furthermore, the system automatically alerted for excessive flue gas and fluidisation velocities.

In close collaboration, personnel from Falu Energi & Vatten and the IndMeas HeatHummingbird team analysed the plant’s current state and identified critical areas for development. As a solution, the combustion air control in the automation system was updated, and the combustion air nozzles were enlarged. Additionally, the fuel moistening system was brought back into operation, enabling a significant increase in district heating production within the flue gas condenser.

The measures delivered strong results. The updated air control reduced the fluidisation velocity and flue gas flow, making it possible to increase the boiler output by approximately 2 MW. In turn, the fuel moistening increased district heating production in the flue gas condenser by up to 2 MW during peak periods.

The completed measures resulted in total savings of approximately 4.5 million SEK per year.