Hydrogen plant comes to life in virtual model
The first production plant for green hydrogen in Finland will be constructed in Harjavalta in 2024. The plant’s developer, P2X, relies on Sweco’s industrial expertise and digital services. A virtual model brought the unique hydrogen plant to life while the construction is still underway.
P2X Solutions is developing Finland’s first industrial-scale green hydrogen production plant in Harjavalta. The hydrogen is produced from water through electrolysis using renewable energy. Sweco began working on the project in spring 2021 and started with feasibility planning and cost estimates. P2X made the investment decision on the plant in December 2021, and Sweco’s experts got started with basic and detailed planning in January 2022.
Safety planning focused on process safety
The safety planning of the unique plant did not leave a single stone unturned. Dispersion models and safety inspections were done with special care, since the same plant will also synthetise methane, in addition to producing green hydrogen.
All solutions aimed for avoiding all conditions that may result in an explosion or fire. “The technical solutions also provide security in case of more unlikely hazards”, says Mika Maranko from Sweco.
Hydrogen plant’s licencing process managed by a large team
The licencing process for the hydrogen plant involved a host of Sweco experts. The permits and licences applied for included a landscape work permit, building permit, action permit and environmental licence, among others.
“In addition to this, our experts submitted the EIA evaluation request to the authorities, who decided that an EIA procedure is not necessary,” Maranko states. To receive the required permits and licences from Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency, extensive documentation was created, and the experts were closely involved in the project presentations, cooperation with authorities and preliminary negotiations.
Architects also played a key role in this high-profile project. “The plant will be the calling card for the Finnish hydrogen industry and P2X, and visitors to the site will include representatives from the European Commission.”
VirtualSite survey ensured smooth worksite operations
P2X wanted to ensure that all parties share an understanding of the project before the complex worksite phase started. This is why the planning was illustrated for the project management with the help of the VirtualSite™ service by Sweco. The participants were able to move around the plant environment, in scale, through their avatars.
“They thought that the virtual survey was so helpful that they wanted to offer the same glimpse to the future to the worksite management and the main contractors,” Maranko says. The feedback received was overwhelmingly positive, which is why it was agreed that 3D surveys would be organised for the contractors before they started their turn in the worksite. “The surveys help plan the installation order and the cooperation between contractors in advance.”
The Sweco experts facilitated the event and brought the required technology on site. “We also ensured that the virtual meeting went smoothly, since it was an unfamiliar situation for many participants,” says Niko Vironen, Sweco’s department manager for VDC and service development. He believes that the benefits of a virtual survey are even greater in a complex project. “When everyone sees the plans the same way, the plant can be built correctly once and for all.”
According to Maranko, the surveys were excellently timed and did not slow down the worksite in the least. “Based on the observations made in the virtual environment, we were able to identify challenging sections and work stages in advance, which also helps minimise safety risks.”
The green hydrogen production plant will be completed in 2024 close to Harjavalta Industrial Park. The hydrogen plant will allow for renewable energy to be stored in hydrogen, which can be used as-is, refined or reverted into electricity.
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