Fortum is an energy company that is driving the change towards a cleaner world. Their mission is to ensure the security of the supply of energy, and contribute to a rapid, reliable transition to a carbon-neutral economy by providing both customers and society with clean energy and sustainable solutions. Fortum’s core business is in the Nordic countries, and consists of efficient, emissions-free electricity generation, electricity sales, district heating, and recycling and waste operations.
Fortum has a hydropower plant located at Montta in Muhos near Oulu, Finland. Near the hydropower plant there is a unique facility that traps salmon and then transports them—safely and efficiently—over the power plant's dams. The fish transport process makes it possible to gather valuable information about the movements of migratory fish along the constructed watercourses.
New, safer lifting solution needed to lift fish trap
The fish trap-and-transfer facility was completed in 2017, and from then until recently, a mobile crane was used to lift the fish trap basins. The mobile crane was very resource-intensive to use: five to six people were needed to operate it, and at least a few days of preparation were also required. The mobile crane often caused scheduling problems because fish cannot be kept in the facility for long periods of time, or they will begin escaping. Additionally, the lifting operation with the mobile crane carried more occupational safety risks than a stationary hoist.
Developing a new lifting solution required consideration of the special features of the fish trap-and-transfer facility, which is unlike any other of its kind in the world. The entire facility is located outdoors in Nordic weather conditions. Also, part of it is always underwater, which places special demands on stationary lifting equipment.
Customized crane designed for a very specific application
Together with the customer, Konecranes mapped out the specifications required for the lifting equipment. When the first solution proposal proved to be unsuitable, a new solution was found very quickly.
"I was very pleased to be offered a new and more suitable solution so quickly. The delivery and installation of the equipment was also done successfully on a very tight schedule," says Petra Väisänen, project manager at Fortum.
In designing the equipment, Konecranes took into account the fact that there are four pools to be lifted, and that it had to be possible to lift each of them separately as well as all of them at the same time. The fully customized lifting solution consists of a pillar of four steel structures, each of which is equipped with a Konecranes CXT hoist. Two separate stainless steel cable ropes descend downward from the rope drum in line with the lifting eyes of the basin that is being lifted. The cable ropes are attached to the stainless steel lifting chains connected to the basin’s lifting eyes and the movement of both cables is synchronized. The lifting capacity per single hoist is four tons. Due to the outdoor location, all the critical parts are protected against corrosion.
Solution delivered just in time for the arrival of the fish
Konecranes delivered the lifting solution on schedule in the middle of the busiest summer vacation period in July 2022. The project progressed as planned, and the equipment was ready for use at the beginning of August, by which time the migratory fish could be expected to start gradually arriving.
Fortum's Montta Hydropower Plant now has a new lifting solution that allows the fish pools to be lifted safely, efficiently and flexibly.
