Emissions

Particulate emissions in 2014 remained at the previous year’s level. The increase in the particulate emissions from Salmisaari was compensated for by the improved situation at Hanasaari. 

IMPACTS ON AIR QUALITY HAVE STABILISED

The annual average sulphur dioxide contents at the Vallila monitoring station, which describes the impacts of energy generation on air quality in Helsinki, were 1.9 µg/m3, or at the same level as in previous years.

Before the district heating era and combined heat and power generation, the annual average sulphur dioxide contents in the city centre of Helsinki were 50–100 µg/m3. These days, the air quality limit value is 20 µg/m3.

Sulphur dioxide of the Vallila station

annual average

IMPACTS ON WATERCOURSES ARE LOW

In 2014, heat released into the sea amounted to 191 GWh, or 1.5% of the used fuel energy. The load has varied between 180 and 2,200 GWh in the 2000s. In addition, 71 GWh of cooling energy was released into the sea.

CEMENT AND EARTH CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL FROM BY-PRODUCTS

Utilisation of fly ash in the manufacture of cement continued, and 63.5% of the ash was utilised. The rest of the fly ash was used in mine filling together with the end product of desulphurisation. Bottom ash was stored mainly at the Vuosaari intermediate storage.