The benefits of an electric boiler lie in its ability to meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations

The system can also take advantage of wind and solar power, as well as fluctuations in spot electricity prices. Developing an electrically powered industrial boiler may seem like reinventing the wheel. The need for innovation, however, has not arisen from shortcomings in previous generations of boilers, but from a rapidly changing operating environment.

For power plants, primary energy producers and industrial operators, rising energy costs and increasingly demanding environmental regulations present significant challenges unless production technology adapts to new requirements. Fortunately, a collision with this rising cost barrier can be avoided.

The new electric boiler developed by the Heinola-based engineering company Viitos-Metalli is helping accelerate the modernization of oil-fired boiler systems used in power plants, primary energy production and industrial facilities. By utilizing electric boiler technology, operators can meet tightening energy efficiency and emissions requirements.

Modern electric boilers are capable of taking advantage of low-cost renewable energy sources. Integrated automation controls operation intelligently, ensuring electricity is consumed when it is most cost-effective.

Additional benefits stem from the boiler’s domestic Finnish origin. Fast delivery times, local service support and warranty coverage help ensure projects remain on schedule and maintenance activities do not lead to prolonged production interruptions.

“Domestic manufacturing is a clear advantage for the user because similar products are typically dependent on foreign manufacturers, supply chains and service organizations,” says Kaj Sundberg, Sales Manager at Viitos-Metalli.

According to Sundberg, oil-fired boilers remain common throughout the power generation sector. At the same time, the industry is undergoing rapid transformation driven by energy costs, taxation and environmental legislation.

“We are now ready to introduce an alternative that supports the industry’s green transition,” Sundberg says.

There are still tens of thousands of industrial oil-fired boilers in operation. The economic viability of relying solely on these systems is gradually diminishing as electric boiler technology and renewable energy sources continue to advance.

“We have developed a solution that enables industry operators to modernize their facilities while achieving significant savings in energy consumption,” says Vesa Sahanen, Sales and Project Director.

In many industrial facilities, waiting until the end of the oil boiler’s service life is no longer the most sensible modernization strategy.

“It may be wiser to install an electric boiler alongside the existing system well before that point. Considering the inevitable tightening of environmental regulations in the coming years, it can be viewed as a profitable investment in the future,” explains Sales Coordinator Lauri Liikanen.

Viitos-Metalli’s electric resistance boiler generates hot water by heating boiler water with metallic heating elements that convert electrical energy into thermal energy.

Boiler output can be adjusted by switching heating elements on and off and by intelligently controlling the power of individual elements.

An electric resistance boiler can replace an existing fire-tube boiler or operate alongside it during periods of low electricity prices.

For new installations, electric boiler technology offers exceptional simplicity. Electric boilers require significantly less space than conventional fire-tube boilers and eliminate the need for a chimney. Environmental permitting is also considerably easier, as the system produces no harmful emissions and operates at a very low noise level.

*Esa Arvekari

Further Information

Kaj Sundberg
Sales Manager
Tel. +358 44 722 2440
www.viitos-metalli.fi

About Viitos-Metalli

• Engineering company based in Heinola, Finland, operating since 1994.
• Employs approximately 30 people.
• Specialized in the manufacture of electric-, gas- and oil-fired steam and heating plants.
• Also supplies valve stations for natural gas, methanol, hydrogen and oil applications.
• Manufactures heavy fuel oil pumping and preheating stations, oil cooling systems for hydropower plants, district heating liquid filters, and feedwater, condensate and blowdown tanks.
• Well known for high-quality heat exchangers, heat transfer substations and condensate pumping stations.
• Also manufactures moisture separators, steam headers, condensate vessels, sample coolers and sampling stations.
• Expertise includes gas, steam and oil piping systems.

Electric Boiler

• Electric boilers are one of the available solutions for industrial heating and steam generation.
• Electricity consumption can be adjusted to support balancing requirements within the power grid.
• As solar and wind generation continue to expand, periods of surplus electricity production occur, occasionally resulting in very low electricity prices.
• When installed alongside a conventional fire-tube boiler, an electric boiler can deliver substantial operating cost savings and reduce emissions.
• Additional advantages include compact size, precise controllability and efficiency exceeding 99%.
• Suitable for industrial applications and can also be connected directly to district heating networks, hot water systems and steam systems.
• Standard power ratings range from 500 kW to 5 MW, with custom solutions available up to 80 MW.