Nevel’s remote operation service ensures continuity of heat and energy production

A secure supply of energy is a fundamental requirement for industrial production. Sudden equipment failure or unexpected disruption to operations can have significant financial consequences. Experts at Nevel’s remote operation centre can monitor and control power and heating plants around the clock, ensuring an uninterrupted supply of energy to customers under all conditions.

Professional remote operations guarantee security of supply

The Finnish Pressure Equipment Act sets out requirements relating to remote operation. The technical infrastructure of plants, including communication connections and safety automation systems, determines the technical solutions. In addition, skilled personnel are required to operate the plants and manage the functions of the remote operation centre.

Operators at the Nevel remote operation centre are responsible for tasks such as:

• continuous monitoring of plant production processes
• handling and analysing alarms, and
• assessing situations and taking necessary action.

In addition, operators manage electricity procurement and trading for the plants. This involves monitoring and adjusting automated electricity production and consumption plans when necessary.

As plants become increasingly electrified and hybrid solutions more common, managing them all from one central location becomes increasingly important.

“For our customers, the remote operation service provides statutory professional supervision without them having to build the necessary operating systems themselves and train people to use them. By ensuring that the right expertise is focused on the right areas of the production chain, the service helps customers to respond more effectively to the changing energy market,” says Tuure Laurila, head of Nevel’s remote operation centre.

Rapid response shortens the duration of disruptions

Nevel’s remote operation centre provides a centralised view of a plant’s status and any potential disturbances. Most issues can be resolved remotely via automation systems. For example, problems with actuators can be acknowledged and the devices restarted. Adjustments can be made and setpoints changed in a controlled manner, allowing the process to be corrected.

A typical example of a disruption is a solid fuel supply failure, which can occur during harsh winter conditions. When a supply failure is detected, the operator can take preventive measures such as alerting first responders and transferring the plant’s load to backup systems. This provides the main process with additional time to recover, which helps operations to return to normal more quickly.

“Rapid response is essential because it helps us to minimise costs and provide the best possible service to our customers. Our top priority is to keep production running and disruptions as short as possible,” Laurila explains.

Optimising plant operation reduces energy production costs

The role of Nevel’s remote operation centre is to operate plants as safely and cost-effectively as possible. Optimal performance consists of many factors, including plant availability and the reliable operation of equipment and processes.

“The optimisation models we have developed utilise various consumption and price forecasts as well as consumer and production data. They also take process constraints and rates of change into account. Based on all this information, the optimisation models calculate the most efficient way to manage the process,” Laurila explains.

Nevel’s remote operation solution also enables the utilisation of reserve markets on hybrid sites that participate in the electricity market.

Clear division of responsibilities improves maintenance quality

With the remote operation centre taking care of production process monitoring and operation, plant personnel on site can focus on predictive maintenance and plant operation. Their expertise is essential to the success of remote operation.

“Predictive maintenance is the cornerstone of the entire operating model. Well-maintained equipment operates more reliably, has a longer service life and suffers fewer unexpected failures. The real-time visibility obtained through remote operation complements the observations of on-site personnel, enabling rapid response to deviations,” says Laurila.

A successful operating model relies on smooth cooperation and clear ways of working. Regular communication is maintained with stakeholders, while daily cooperation between plant operators and other personnel happens in real time.

“It is extremely important that cooperation and communication are seamless and effective. Good communication, shared operating models and trust are the foundation of everything we do,” Laurila sums up.

Real-time safety and environmental monitoring

Safety is the foundation of all operations at the remote operation centre. Procedures for handling alarms are clearly defined in advance and critical alarms are reviewed and responded to immediately, with first responders dispatched to the scene.

Monitoring environmental obligations is also part of the daily work of personnel at the remote operation centre. Emissions measurements from plants are continuously monitored and any deviations addressed in accordance with agreed operating procedures.

“As sustainability requirements become stricter, it is increasingly important that we act in accordance with regulations as well as our customers’ and Nevel’s own goals. Centralised operation makes it possible to implement a consistent approach and respond quickly to deviations,” Laurila points out.