Olvi Plc improves the efficiency of its bioenergy plant with PlantSys
Olvi Plc is a Finnish brewery that has been optimising the operation of its 4.5 MW bioenergy plant in Iisalmi, Finland, using the PlantSys system since 2018. In 2024, the PlantSys service portfolio was extended to include PlantSys Manager services, which has brought significant improvements in the management and reliability of the plant’s IT infrastructure.
PlantSys services at Olvi Plc:
- PlantSys Operation
- PlantSys Manager Services
- PlantSys Diary
- PlantSys Reporting
Central monitoring for flexibility and better control
PlantSys Operation is a solution that also enables the control and monitoring of processes in multiple industrial plants from a single central point, or remotely and securely. Remote monitoring brings significant flexibility to Olvi’s bioenergy plant operations, as it allows the plant to be efficiently monitored remotely, freeing up plant operators’ resources for other tasks. The control room is primarily used only during disturbances and start-up situations. “We monitor mainly through remote connections, and we use the control room during disturbances or start-ups. This has reduced the need for on-site presence and significantly improved our monitoring efficiency,” says Olavi Leinonen, Olvi Plc.
With PlantSys, Olvi can manage plant operations in real time and make informed decisions to improve process efficiency. Before the system was implemented, the plant faced problems such as slowdowns and equipment malfunctions, but these challenges have been significantly reduced with PlantSys.
PlantSys Operation improves plant management and safety
PlantSys Operation is a software solution that improves monitoring, control and reporting functions. It integrates seamlessly with plant automation and provides a robust platform for managing operations both locally and remotely.
For Olvi’s bioenergy plant, the PlantSys Operation has proven to be a key solution that enables remote control of the plant, reducing the need for on-site visits and increasing operational reliability. Real-time information speeds up decision-making and enables proactive maintenance, which has reduced shutdown times.
The flexibility of PlantSys makes it easy to expand the service to more plants/processes, and for customers like Olvi it is possible to build a central control room. If required, the system can also be implemented in a fully virtual form, with local control rooms running in parallel with a central control room that can be managed from anywhere in the world. This solution also makes it possible to combine control rooms purchased at different times into a single unified system with centralised control windows and centralised management of the various processes.
Manager Services ensure uninterrupted it operations
PlantSys Manager Services ensure the secure and uninterrupted operation of critical IT systems at the bioenergy plant. Continuous monitoring of equipment and essential IT processes, combined with proactive maintenance, minimizes downtime and keeps maintenance costs under control. PlantSys Manager Services cover all the plant’s critical systems, including servers, network devices, and IT background processes, ensuring reliable operation without interruption.
PlantSys Diary increases transparency and enhances information flow
In the operation of Olvi’s bioenergy plant, PlantSys Diary has proven to be an essential tool for supporting daily operations and keeping plant personnel well-informed. PlantSys Diary is a comprehensive cloud-based solution designed to streamline users daily tasks, facilitate communication between remote users and improve overall workflow efficiency. It provides an easy and transparent way to document events, giving the entire team access to up-to-date information.
Olvi’s personnel actively use PlantSys Diary in their daily work as it allows them to record and share information about incidents and failures efficiently. “The diary is excellent. In the event of an incident, the fault history is invaluable and the search function makes it quicker to find information. Errors are minimized because everyone is recording the important things,” Leinonen explains.
Reporting optimises production efficiency
At Olvi’s bioenergy plant, PlantSys Reporting is a key tool for improving production efficiency. PlantSys Reporting is a comprehensive system that combines traditional time series and production reporting with advanced and customised KPI reporting, and also includes as an additional service artificial intelligence functions such as production optimization and automatic equipment condition monitoring. This makes it an invaluable tool for improving plant performance and improving operations.
PlantSys Reporting is specifically designed for operators and managers who need accurate, real-time information on plant operations to support efficiency, maintenance and decision-making. At Olvi’s plant, this system has helped to quickly identify production challenges and solve them more effectively. “The reports are easy to search and retrieve, which has accelerated problem resolution and improved plant operations,” explains Leinonen.
Easy implementation and long-term benefits
PlantSys was easy to implement and has proven to be an efficient and reliable tool for managing Olvi’s plant from the very beginning. PlantSys has improved process visibility, helped with optimisation and reduced risk. “The implementation was easy, and the benefits of the system have been concrete right from the start,” Leinonen summarises.
Olvi’s experience shows how a modern and comprehensive PlantSys solution can improve plant management, reduce downtime and increase safety. PlantSys provides customers with complete visibility into plant operations, enabling proactive maintenance, rapid response to problems and continuous process optimisation. Remote monitoring brings flexibility and frees up resources for other important tasks.
PlantSys’ scalable and flexible solution meets the demands of the future – ensuring that production is efficient, safe and cost-effective.
When processes are fully controlled and risks minimized, customer can focus on their core business and develop it in a better environment.
Photo: Olvi Plc