Kokkolan Energia builds flexible and carbon-neutral energy production with electric boilers – Elomatic as design partner

Kokkolan Energia is investing in two 60-megawatt electric boilers and a 500 MWh thermal storage unit. The project significantly reduces the need for energy produced by combustion, brings stability to district heating prices, and strengthens the region’s industrial energy supply. Elomatic, involved since the preliminary design phase, is now responsible for the project’s detailed engineering.

Kokkolan Energia produces district heating for approximately 40,000 households and the Kokkola Industry Park. Growing energy demand requires additional capacity and more diverse production methods, which is why the company decided to invest in a combination of electric boilers and thermal storage in 2024.

The investment decision resulted from multiple factors, significantly influenced by the growing wind power production capacity. With a combination of electric boilers and thermal storage, emission-free electricity can be utilized, as heat can be produced and stored when affordable electricity is available.

“We were looking for cost-effectiveness, risk management, and supply security. By adding more electric boilers and thermal storage to our production portfolio, we improve overall economics and can better serve our customers,” explains Tommi Korpi, Production Director at Kokkolan Energia.

Trust in Elomatic developed through earlier projects

Kokkolan Energia had prior experience working with Elomatic. The companies have collaborated over the years on district heating network simulations and design. Energy efficiency audits have also been conducted together.

When the electric boiler project started, the company selected Elomatic as its partner for the preliminary design phase. Thanks to good collaboration, the same partner was chosen to continue with project implementation. The decision was based on experience with similar projects and local energy expertise.

A 50-meter-high thermal storage tank reflects the ongoing energy transition

Elomatic’s role in the project is extensive. The company is responsible for project management, process, piping, and HVAC design, architectural design, foundation and structural design, and electrical, instrumentation, and automation design.

In addition to design, Elomatic is responsible for commissioning support, which is scheduled for autumn 2026.

The electric boilers will be installed adjacent to existing power plants, Voima and Power. Visible changes have already taken place on the facility site: a 50-meter-high 500 megawatt-hour thermal storage tank has risen next to Voima, and soon construction will begin on the building required for the second boiler.

“This project perfectly reflects the ongoing energy transition: energy companies are now investing in emission-free energy. Electric boilers and various thermal storage systems play an important role in this,” explains Ville Hirvonen, project manager at Elomatic.

Steam boiler serves both industry and households

Kokkolan Energia’s case was not a typical electric boiler project, as steam boilers were selected for the facility. Significant industrial companies operating in Kokkola Industry Park require steam for their production. The steam produced by both boilers can be reduced to water, stored, and utilized as district heat for consumers.

The new thermal storage brings significant advantages to the current situation. It adds flexibility to daily heating demand fluctuations and thus reduces the need for combustion-generated energy during peak demand periods, such as mornings and evenings.

“Previously, we had less than an hour of operational flexibility in energy production, but with thermal storage, this grows to several hours. We can also direct industrial waste heat to storage, which improves its utilization,” Korpi explains.

High steam pressure and large electrical loads require engineering expertise

The steam boilers selected for the electric boiler facilities differ significantly from conventional district heating boilers. Their operating pressure exceeds 40 bar, which sets requirements for materials, piping, and connections. Old piping had to be carefully considered in the design, as the system is integrated into the existing heating network.

Elomatic performed flexibility analyses and structural calculations on the piping. The project also required specialized expertise due to the large electrical loads of the electric boilers, which set requirements for system design.

On schedule toward commissioning

The project is in the final stages of design. Working drawings are being delivered to contractors, and work is progressing. The steam boilers will arrive at the facility during the summer.

According to Hirvonen, success in the project has been built on good collaboration and clear task division: “When both parties are solution-focused, the results show in the schedule.”

Korpi has been particularly satisfied with the project management during the collaboration. “As project manager, Ville has built effective teamwork. In large projects, challenging moments are inevitable, but we’ve solved problems together and openly. It’s easy to be satisfied with this kind of team spirit.”