Empowering coal power plants for a flexible renewable energy future

Valmet's Flexible Operations solution

As renewable energy generation, like solar and wind, continues to expand, thermal power plants need greater flexibility to support grid stability and balance variable power generation. Conventional power plants must be able to respond rapidly to changing operating conditions while maintaining high levels of efficiency and reliability. Valmet's Flexible Operations solution enables faster load changes, stable low-load operation, improved ramping capability, and optimized boiler performance. Built on Valmet's extensive automation and process control expertise, the solution provides a cost-effective and sustainable way for coal-fired power plants to operate efficiently in today's rapidly evolving energy landscape.

Increase operational flexibility

Respond faster to changing power demand and renewable generation variability with improved ramping capability and dynamic plant operation.

Enable stable low-load operation

Maintain reliable combustion and process stability across a wider operating range, helping plants operate efficiently at lower loads.

Improve efficiency and boiler performance

Optimize combustion, air and fuel distribution, and temperature control with advanced automation and real-time furnace temperature insights, helping improve plant efficiency, reliability, and dynamic response.

Reduce equipment stress and support long-term reliability

Minimize thermal stress during load changes and flexible operation, helping protect critical boiler assets and support long-term plant performance.

Supporting the transition to a more flexible energy system

The growing share of renewable energy is changing how conventional power plants are operated. Instead of running steadily at fixed loads, plants are increasingly required to start, ramp, and adjust output more frequently to balance variable generation and support a reliable electricity supply.

Valmet's Flexible Operations solution helps thermal power plants meet these challenges by supporting renewable energy integration and enabling more flexible and sustainable power generation.

Improve plant performance and flexibility

Built on Valmet's extensive automation and process control expertise, the Flexible Operations solution enables faster load changes, stable low-load operation, improved ramping capability, and optimized boiler performance.

By enabling faster load changes, stable low-load operation, and improved process dynamics, the solution helps power producers increase flexibility, enhance operational efficiency, and maximize the value of existing assets.

The solution also reduces thermal stress on critical boiler equipment, helping to improve long-term reliability and support sustainable operation across the entire operating range.

Advanced control and optimization for flexible operation

The solution combines dedicated controllers for superheater (SH) and reheater (RH) temperatures, burner tilt optimization, and advanced combustion control applications to improve plant dynamics and operational performance. These capabilities are further supported by Valmet's advanced boiler optimization solution, designed to enhance combustion efficiency and operational performance.

At its core, intelligent fuzzy control technology continuously optimizes combustion conditions inside the boiler by balancing air and fuel distribution and supporting stable combustion.

The latest developments also incorporate Valmet Acoustic Pyrometer technology, providing real-time furnace temperature insights that enable more accurate optimization, improved boiler performance, better temperature balance, and greater operational flexibility.

Proven expertise through a strong partnership with BHEL

Since 2000, Valmet's Flexible Operations solution has been successfully developed and implemented in close collaboration with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), combining Valmet's automation expertise with BHEL's extensive power generation experience and execution capabilities.

Together, we have secured 31 advanced process control (APC) orders for pulverized coal boilers in India, with 13 systems already commissioned, demonstrating the strength of the partnership and the proven value of the solution in demanding operating environments.

Advanced process controls (APC)

Acoustic pyrometer

Support the energy transition with greater operational flexibility

Discover how Valmet's Flexible Operations solution helps power plants improve performance, increase flexibility, and respond to changing energy market demands.