Welser Abfallverwertung GmbH (WAV)
The WAV power plant in Wels, Austria produces energy from waste under the strictest emission limits in Europe. The first boiler, WAV 1, was taken into use in the mid-90s and a second boiler plant, WAV 2, was built in 2005 to fulfill an increasing capacity need.
The plant operator is Welser Abfallverwertung GmbH and both municipal and industrial waste is combusted. The entire plant treats over a thousand tons of waste daily, around the clock, with approximately 100 employees.
Limiting emissions is high priority
Meeting the tough environmental demands is the first priority at WAV. To keep emission limits and at the same time optimize the use of resources, WAV invested in the best and most modern emission systems available on the market. Adding automation was a natural part of this.
Being the heart of a power plant, however, advanced automation software is not something ordered from stock. It has to be developed for each plant separately and requires extensive knowledge and an in-depth understanding of the business.
Know-how, experience, teamwork
WAV chose Metso Automation for the project. Metso started by supplying the automation for the new WAV 2 boiler and a year later, the existing DCS of WAV 1 was dismantled and replaced with metso DNA. Both plants now use metso DNA automation and information solutions with boiler protection and burner management from Metso Automation. The WAV 1 automation retrofit was realized in a record time of four weeks from the plant shutdown to the first waste fire, thanks to excellent teamwork and cooperation between the parties involved.
Successful integration
Integrating all grate controls into one metsoDNA system has notably improved WAV’s process follow-up. The new system is user-friendly, future-proof and its openness allows for easy external connections. Now, automation, instrumentation and electrification function in full harmony – a huge benefit for such a complex and sensitive plant as WAV.
