The Finnish forest industry and energy technology supplier Valmet Oyj has announced that it has been chosen to carry out a major rebuild of the biomass boiler system at E.ON's Steven's Croft biomass power station, located in Lockerbie, Scotland. The work is needed to ensure the plant runs flawlessly for many years to come.
Valmet originally supplied Steven's Croft with a bubbling fluidised bed (BFB) boiler, which was commissioned in 2008. Thanks to good day-to-day maintenance and regular refurbishment, the boiler's performance has remained excellent.
“For 16 years now, E.ON Steven's Croft has provided the local community with low-carbon electricity and heat solutions, and the Valmet BFB boiler plays a central role in that. The work carried out during the 2024 rebuild project will allow the power station to continue to meet its operating targets safely, efficiently and in a commercially optimal way, while consistently complying with strict emission limit values,” said Steven's Croft power station manager Scott Robinson (Scott Robinson).
The boiler's main superheater, economisers, primary air preheater and screen tubes will now be renewed, thereby ensuring its reliable operation in the future.
“The Finnish company Valmet was chosen to carry out this important work not only because it holds original equipment manufacturer (OEM) status, but also because over 16 years it has proved its excellence in maintaining and optimising the boiler. What is more, our close relationship with Valmet has fostered a collaborative approach to developing a successful boiler maintenance system based on a long-term service agreement. I look forward to another successful project from the Valmet team,” said power station manager Scott Robinson.
Where necessary, specially corrosion-resistant materials will be used to extend the service life of the components. Delivery and installation of the equipment, the total value of which has not been disclosed, is scheduled for the second quarter of 2024.
“We are delighted that this delivery will continue our successful, long-standing cooperation with the E.ON Steven's Croft power station. We have built a relationship that allows data sharing and open discussion, which over the years has led to many successful joint projects – and this is undeniably the next one in line,” said Nigel Earp (Nigel Earp), Valmet's services manager for the EMEA region.