Long-term service partnership supports reliable waste-to-energy operations in Bergen
BIR Avfallsenergi’s Rådalen waste-to-energy plant in Bergen plays a critical role in municipal waste management and district heating production in western Norway. The facility operates two complete production lines, each equipped with a turbine and generator unit.
In 2018, BIR signed an eight-year service agreement with Elcoline’s Turbine and Generator Services (TGS). The scope includes major and minor overhauls, remote monitoring, and 24/7 technical support. The agreement was established to streamline maintenance, improve equipment reliability, and optimise the life-cycle management of critical turbomachinery assets.
Waste processing and energy production at scale
BIR Avfallsenergi AS (BIR) is part of Norway’s second-largest waste management company, BIR. The company manages waste collection, recycling stations, and waste treatment across the Bergen region.
The Rådalen facility processes approximately 220,000 tonnes of waste annually and holds a concession for additional capacity. The energy recovered from waste supports more than 20,000 households through district heating and supplies electricity to nearly 5,000 households.
The plant operates two boilers, each capable of incinerating up to 14 tonnes of waste per hour. Maximum winter output reaches 60 MW of district heating and 8 MW of electrical power.
The two production lines feature equipment from multiple manufacturers:
- Line 2: TGM Kanis turbine and Converteam generator
- Line 1: ABB turbine and generator
Consolidating service providers into a single maintenance partner
Before the new agreement, BIR used separate service suppliers for the two production lines. TGM Kanis maintained the line 2 turbine and generator, while line 1, owned by BKK Varme AS, relied on different service providers.
When the service agreements were due for renewal, BIR and BKK Varme AS launched a joint public procurement process to find a single supplier capable of supporting both turbine-generator trains. “We wanted to find one supplier who could manage the entire chain, by that I mean servicing, maintenance and monitoring of the production lines as well as providing us with 24-hour support. Our assessment was that in the long term, a system-wide solution would be the most economic – and it would enable us to reduce the number of suppliers and contracts we have to manage. It is much simpler with just one service partner,” says Kenneth Sörsdal, Advisor at BIR AS.
Why BIR selected TGS
Elcoline TGS was selected based on its ability to meet all tender requirements while offering the most competitive solution. As an independent service provider, Elcoline TGS supports multiple turbine and generator brands and serves customers across the CHP, forestry, petrochemical, and metal-processing sectors.
The consolidation of maintenance, monitoring, and support services under a single provider was expected to deliver both operational and economic benefits. In particular, BIR aimed to simplify contract management, reduce procurement effort, and improve continuity in equipment maintenance.
With a single supplier maintaining detailed knowledge of asset history and operating conditions, maintenance needs can be identified earlier and addressed more effectively. This approach supports proactive life-cycle management of high-value and high-risk turbomachinery.
“TGS met all of the requirements we had set in the tender documentation and it had the best price. Moreover, they have experience with energy production,” Sörsdal adds.
Immediate value through rapid response capability
The benefits of the service agreement became apparent during the first planned shutdown after contract award in April 2018. During the outage, Elcoline TGS identified a turbine rotor requiring repair.
To minimise downtime, Elcoline TGS mobilised a site manager and nine specialists to Bergen. Their rapid response enabled repairs to be completed efficiently and helped reduce the shutdown duration.
The issue originated from a previously deferred major overhaul, which had been postponed while the customer prepared the tender process for the full system.
“It was perhaps slightly bad news for the customer that we identified the need for repair. But this is exactly our area of expertise: identifying deviations, reacting quickly and keeping lead times, together with our broad and extensive contact network,” says Mats Rombe,General Manager at Elcoline Turbine and Generator Services.
Independent expertise across multiple turbine and generator platforms
TGS differentiates itself through decades of experience in electricity generation. The company combines service expertise with practical knowledge gained from production facilities.
“We know the customers and their needs, and we have extensive knowledge with the various manufacturers gained through our long experience which covers over 30 years in the Nordic markets,” says Rombe.
Introducing 24/7 turbine and generator support
BIR became the first TGS customer to receive year-round 24/7 support. While continuous support agreements are common in the oil and gas sector, they have historically been less common in power and heat generation.
The capability was considered essential due to the critical nature of BIR’s operations and the high value of its turbine-generator assets.
“Support doesn’t necessarily mean someone has to come to the site; a confirmation by phone to keep running despite the temperature not being ideal could be sufficient, for example. Round-the-clock support provides considerable peace of mind, because we have incredibly expensive equipment in our processes,” says Bjarte Iversen, Technical Manager at BIR, responsible for the turbine on line 2 and for all of line 1.
Remote monitoring enhances equipment reliability
Remote monitoring capabilities introduced in 2020 enable Elcoline TGS specialists to analyse operating data from Bergen without an immediate site visit.
This approach allows initial diagnostics and condition assessment to be completed remotely, reducing unnecessary call-outs and helping operators reach faster maintenance decisions. When on-site intervention is required, engineers already have access to relevant operating data before arriving.
“Our circumstances mean that everything has to work all of the time, particularly district heating. I believe that online monitoring will lead to a faster and more efficient process when support is needed,” says Iversen.
According to both Bjarte Iversen and Kenneth Sörsdal, the collaboration with Elcoline TGS has been highly effective.
“Overall, it has been easy to get hold of someone when we have needed assistance; we have received quick responses and good contact has been made between all parties.”
Comprehensive turbine and generator service capabilities
TGS supports customers through a network of approximately 180 specialists and workshop facilities located in Västerås, Sweden, and Naantali, Finland.
These resources provide a single point of contact for turbine-generator maintenance, repair, engineering, and life-cycle services.
The Naantali workshop specialises in reverse engineering and 3D modelling of generators and turbines, enabling the manufacture of spare parts when original components are unavailable.
The Västerås facility offers integrated turbine, gearbox, and generator services. It also houses the only high-speed generator rotor balancing capability in the Nordic region for rotors weighing up to 110 tonnes. Additional capabilities include rotor and stator rewinding and other specialised electrical machine services.
Safety as a core principle
Alongside technical expertise and service capability, Elcoline TGS emphasises safety in all maintenance and overhaul activities.
“We never compromise on safety,” says Rombe.
Read more about our turbine and generator services.