10 – 13.11.2014 the study tour to Oulu took place. Representatives of Local Administrations of the Republic of Karelia (Kostomuksha, Pryazha, Kalevala and Muezerka), scientific (Laboratory for Mire Ecosystems, Institute of Biology, Karelian Research Centre), energy ("Kostomuksha heat supply company", Kostomuksha Municipal heating company), peat production («Piter-Pit») and industrial companies (Kostomuksha ore mining and processing plant) took part in it.
Programme of the tour was interesting and schedule busy. First day of the visit was devoted to site seeing. Trainees have visited Toppila CHP plant and had an excursion there. Toppila CHP is one of the largest peat and wood waste fired power plants in the world. It consists of 2 power generating units: Toppila 1 (capacity 267 MW, was constructed in 1977 and renovated in 1996) and Toppila 2 (capacity 315 MW, was constructed in 1995).
After it Russian experts had a visit to Laanila Eco Power, waste to energy plant, at Kemira´s industrial area owned by Oulun Energia. It was built in August 2012. As a fuel it uses 120 000 tons of municipal solid waste annually. Total capacity is 48+5 MW.
In the afternoon members of the group visited smaller biofuel (6 MW, wood waste, peat) power plant in Muhos located 35 km from Oulu.
Unfortunately weather was not favorable for participants (it was rainy) and they were unable to visit a peat production area as it was previously planned. But with great pleasure people have visited Turveruukki’s workshops, where peat production machinery was repaired and serviced.
Second day of the study tour was devoted to seminar activities. In the morning Managing Director of the Oulun Energia Group Juhani Järvelä and the Head of fuel department Pertti Vanhala made presentations about the Concern, it’s structure and plans of it future development. Heikki Harju-Autti Operation Manager of Toppila CHP described operation and maintenance of Toppila and Laanila Eco Power CHP plants. Heikki Karppimaa Managing director of Turveruukki Oy presented information about biofuel production and supply to different power plants of Oulun Energia and operation of peat production company.
In the afternoon representatives of peat production machinery producers (Tuomo Meriläinen (Suokone Oy), Juho Kyrönviita (Raiselift Oy) and Juhani Lehti (Peatmax Oy)) made presentations about their activities and machinery.