Valmet’s workshop-based project customizes Kilpilahti Power Plant’s reports to increase transparency

Today, well-designed dashboards and reports are key to providing stakeholders with reliable, actionable information. Developing them with just the right level of detail requires careful planning and a deep understanding of user needs.

This challenge was familiar to Kilpilahti Power Plant (KPP), located in southern Finland and operated by Veolia Services Suomi Oy. When support for its existing reporting system ended, the plant faced growing pressure to provide stakeholders with reliable, user-friendly access to key operational and billing data. Accurate source data was essential.

Kilpilahti Power Plant, visible on the left, serves the energy needs of the surrounding industrial area in Porvoo, Finland.

Combining plant, security and office data

KPP evaluated several alternatives, but none fully met its needs. At the same time, the plant had good experience with Valmet’s DNA distributed control system (DCS) in its operations. Since KPP knew Valmet DCS already contained a large share of the power plant’s data, Valmet emerged as a natural partner.

Valmet DCS has always functioned reliably for us, and we were impressed by Valmet’s enthusiastic team and their readiness to customize office-level reporting and improve energy management.”

“Valmet DCS has always functioned reliably for us, and we were impressed by Valmet’s enthusiastic team and their readiness to customize office-level reporting and improve energy management,” says Jussi Hintikka, Managing Director of KPP.

Solution Manager Marika Salmela from Valmet and Jussi Hintikka, Managing Director of Kilpilahti Power Plant, in front of the new dashboards providing transparent, real-time insights into plant operations and energy management.

Cybersecurity was another decisive factor. The new solution needed to comply with the European Union’s updated Network and Information Security Directive (NIS2). “Cybersecurity is critical for us. Our partners and customers want seamless and secure access to reports that give them better transparency into our energy management,” Hintikka adds.

The entire network architecture – from plant level through security to office – was designed to meet the strictest data security requirements.”

“The entire network architecture – from plant level through security to office – was designed to meet the strictest data security requirements,” says Janne Koivuniemi, Senior Solution Manager, Valmet.

Central to this architecture is the Valmet DNAe User Interface, Valmet’s versatile reporting tool that provides a common platform for the control room and office.

Agile workshop approach

The project began in early 2025 using Valmet’s first-ever agile workshop model for office-side reporting. Together, they planned the content and format of reports and KPI dashboards, providing a comprehensive view of the plant’s processes.

We didn’t know exactly what kind of detailed reports or dashboards we needed in the beginning. But by brainstorming together in workshops, we gradually arrived at results that truly serve us and our customers.”

“We didn’t know exactly what kind of detailed reports or dashboards we needed in the beginning,” Hintikka explains. “But by brainstorming together in workshops, we gradually arrived at results that truly serve us and our customers.”

The approach proved exceptionally beneficial for both parties. Many KPP and Veolia team members were involved, and even some end customers participated to share what information they needed. “The workshops were very interactive – and we even discovered new needs along the way,” Hintikka says. “We also identified and corrected deviations in historical data.”

The flexible workshop model allowed the project to progress in stages, giving Kilpilahti the opportunity to evaluate the results and continue development as the benefits became clear. Valmet also trained the Kilpilahti team to maintain and further develop the reports independently.

Controlling the entire data chain

By the end of 2025, 70 customized reports were in use, giving KPP and its customers real-time access to operational and billing data. This reduced errors and minimized the need for time-consuming emails and phone calls, improving operational efficiency.

My day starts by checking the main dashboard. If I want more information, I can drill down from a KPI and quickly find the details I need. Our daily work is much more effective now – we control the entire data chain from operations to billing. The whole process is simple, transparent and reliable.”

Jussi Hintikka, Managing Director of Kilpilahti Power Plant, points to the dashboard that provides real-time visibility into the plant’s operations and key performance indicators.

“My day starts by checking the main dashboard. If I want more information, I can drill down from a KPI and quickly find the details I need,” Hintikka says. “Our daily work is much more effective now – we control the entire data chain from operations to billing. The whole process is simple, transparent and reliable.”

Rapid payback and next steps

The new reporting environment has already delivered fast payback by helping identify cost-saving opportunities. “Energy is expensive, and accuracy matters,” Hintikka underlines. “With the right information, we’ve improved analytics, tightened information management and lowered costs.”

Energy is expensive, and accuracy matters. With the right information, we’ve improved analytics, tightened information management and lowered costs.”

Managing Director of Kilpilahti Power Plant Jussi Hintikka highlights how the new reporting environment makes operational and energy data more transparent and accessible to users.

The next step is to expand predictive capabilities, improve electricity trading interfaces and share targets more transparently with stakeholders. Our customers expect efficient operations and competitive energy prices.”

The next step is to expand predictive capabilities, improve electricity trading interfaces and share targets more transparently with stakeholders. “Our customers expect efficient operations and competitive energy prices,” Hintikka concludes. “This project has been highly successful. It’s given us a strong foundation – and we’re continuing to add new reports to our system with Valmet.” 

This project has been highly successful. It’s given us a strong foundation – and we’re continuing to add new reports to our system with Valmet.” 

 

 

For more information, Marika and Janne will be happy to assist you:

Marika Salmela, Solution Manager, Valmet, marika.salmela(at)valmet.com

Janne Koivuniemi, Senior Solution Manager, janne.koivuniemi(at)valmet.com