Automation Optimises Energy Balance in Austria

Valmet will supply an energy balance optimizer solution to Energie AG Umwelt Service’s waste treatment facility in Wels, Austria, enabling dynamic control of energy production and consumption in response to electricity market conditions.

Context: Managing flexible energy systems
Energy producers operating waste-to-energy and district heating plants must balance multiple energy sources and fluctuating demand while responding to volatile electricity markets. This requires integrated control systems capable of optimising both production efficiency and market participation.

Energie AG Umwelt Service sought to enhance operational flexibility and improve the coordination of energy flows across its facility.

Technical solution: Integrated energy optimisation
Valmet’s energy balance optimizer is designed to dynamically manage energy production and consumption by coordinating multiple process units. The system will be integrated with the existing Valmet Distributed Control System (DCS) and connected to the plant’s energy management system (EMS).

This integration enables real-time optimisation of plant operations, aligning energy generation with both internal demand and external market signals.

Deployment: Waste-to-energy facility in Wels
The solution will be implemented at Energie AG’s waste treatment facility in Wels, where it will support district heating production based on waste-derived energy.

The system complements existing automation and control solutions at the site, including combustion optimisation, turbine control, and district heating management. This creates a unified control environment for managing complex energy flows.

The project is scheduled for customer handover in the second quarter of 2026.

Operational impact: Efficiency and market responsiveness
By optimising the balance between energy producers and consumers, the system is expected to improve overall plant efficiency and enhance flexibility in district heating operations.

The ability to respond dynamically to electricity market conditions allows the operator to adjust production strategies, supporting more effective participation in energy markets.

Applications and broader relevance
Energy balance optimisation is increasingly important in decentralised energy systems, where multiple generation sources and variable demand must be coordinated. Solutions of this type support the transition toward more flexible and responsive energy infrastructure.

Conclusion: Enabling flexible and efficient energy production
The deployment of Valmet’s energy balance optimizer demonstrates how digital automation solutions can enhance both operational efficiency and market integration in modern energy systems. By integrating control and optimisation functions, the system supports more adaptive and efficient energy production.

Edited by an industrial journalist, Lekshman Ramdas, with AI assistance.

www.valmet.com