Norway’s leading district heating and waste management company has successfully completed a significant modernization project at its waste-to-energy facility in Klemetsrud, located just outside Oslo. Collaborating closely with ABB’s Electrification Service team in Norway, the project was executed seamlessly, adhering strictly to the planned timeline.

Oslo: Norway’s ‘Green Capital’

Hafslund Celsio, which provides district heating across the Norwegian capital, prides itself on being “Oslo’s complete energy provider.” Oslo was recognized as the European Green Capital five years ago. The district heating system primarily utilizes energy generated from the incineration of the city’s waste. This process not only conserves electricity from the grid but also ensures reliable heating and hot water delivery through over 700 kilometers of underground pipelines, serving more than 200,000 Oslo residents.

A sustainable upgrade saving time, money, and resources

After more than 30 years of reliable service, Hafslund Celsio identified the need to upgrade its aging switchgear to ensure long-term operational safety and efficiency.

ABB’s team presented a sustainable, cost-effective turnkey solution. This involved retrofitting the plant’s five outdated boards with modern components, in addition to installing two new switchboards and over 200 advanced starters.

Instead of investing in entirely new switchgear, the company opted for an upgrade from MNS2.0 to MNS3.0 technology. This update integrated the modern Emax2 air circuit breaker with the Ekip Touch relay, enabling energy metering and advanced protection, all within the existing system.

The upgrade introduced smart automation, enhanced connectivity, and improved monitoring capabilities, with Emax2 standing out as the only breaker of its kind able to protect circuits while simultaneously lowering energy consumption based on user demand.

“By choosing ABB’s retrofit solution, we’ve improved system reliability, energy efficiency, and personnel safety, while also lowering operational costs and minimizing downtime,” commented Einar Bruneau from Norsk Energi, Hafslund Celsio’s project partner.

“Upgrading, rather than replacing, not only extended the lifespan of Hafslund Celsio’s current equipment but also avoided the carbon emissions that would come from manufacturing new systems,” Bruneau added.

ABB’s solution retained much of the existing infrastructure, including the original frames, power cables, and busbars. As ABB Project Manager Per Anders Opdan explained, “Over 50% of electrical equipment—such as switchgear cabinets, steel plates, and busbars—can be reused indefinitely, provided the outdated components like circuit breakers, relays, and internal parts are upgraded, maintained, and monitored.”

The upgrade was completed during the plant’s scheduled shutdown in June. Thanks to the detailed planning and close collaboration with Norsk Energi and Hafslund Celsio, the replacement and reconstruction of the switchboards were finished in just one week, with no safety incidents reported.

Source