Live FAT testing reintroduced — Norwegian Hydro Energi impressed by VEO’s facilities in Finland

Before the pandemic, VEO’s standard practice was to perform live factory acceptance tests, or FAT tests, mainly at VEO’s factory in Vaasa, Finland. When the coronavirus forced everyone to work remotely, FAT testing was also changed to a remote format.

“Remote FAT testing went surprisingly well and saved both time and travel expenses. Still, the mood is quite different when you can get to go through the testing face-to-face with the client,” points out Ville Vieri, Sales Manager for VEO Sweden and Norway.

Live testing has been reintroduced now that the situation allows for it again. For example, earlier this autumn a returning client Hydro Energi AS (part of Norsk Hydro) visited the VEO factory for the first time.

“It was an important milestone for our client relations to gather everyone together physically in one place. Among other things, we went on a tour of VEO’s facilities. The client was especially impressed with how efficiently we have utilized the space in relation to our production volumes. The testing itself also went according to plan, so overall we were all happy with the visit,” Vieri sums up.

The customer is also very pleased with the event.

“For us, the joint review is important both for quality assurance and further familiarization with the new systems that will be in use for decades in our power plant. Overall, our visit was a success, and I am happy to say that VEO’s production facilities meet our high standards,” says Lars Eikemo, project manager for Hydro Energi.

Hydro Energi’s hydropower plant modernised to be safer, but with minimal impact on production

Built in the 1960s by Hydro Energi AS, a subsidiary of Norsk Hydro, the 340 MW hydropower plant in Suldal, Norway, was in a need of an upgrade. VEO’s mission was to renew the main distribution systems.

“To Suldal, we delivered VEO’s own production VEDA low-voltage switchgear, with which we were able to improve the safety of both personnel working in the plant and production security,” says Vieri.

Close attention had to be paid to the project planning to ensure that all the upgrades will be carried out with as minimal an impact on production as possible.

“We will transfer the loads from the previous switchgear units step by step to a relocated new system consisting of two separate low-voltage units. The changeover will be carried out with special arrangements to cause as few production breaks as possible. Although the biggest work needs to be done on-site, of course, we strive to be as efficient as possible. This requires accurate advance planning of the commissioning phase,” Vieri clarifies.

Delivery and energisation of the new systems in Suldal will be carried out by the end of the year.

“For us, the joint review is important both for quality assurance and further familiarization with the new systems that will be in use for decades in our power plant. Overall, our visit was a success, and I am happy to say that VEO’s production facilities meet our high standards.”

Lars Eikemo, project manager, Hydro Energi