Dear Customers and Partners,

We would like to inform you that as of August 1, 2024, the name of Polarinst Oy has changed to Elcon Oy. This name change is part of our strategy to strengthen our brand and integrate the operations of Elcon Solutions Oy and Polarinst Oy into a single entity.

Referring to our previous announcement regarding the merger of Elcon Solutions Oy and Polarinst Oy, which came into effect on July 1, 2024, all rights and responsibilities of Elcon Solutions Oy were transferred to Polarinst Oy, and our product and service offerings were consolidated during the merger.

Elcon Solutions Oy, acquired by Polarinst Oy in 2021, will be merged into Polarinst Oy. As a result of the merger, Elcon Solutions Oy's Business ID 2042477-5 will cease to exist and it will be replaced by Polarinst Oy's Business ID FI29327349. The merger will be effective on 1.7.2024.

Electrical power engineering technician Robin Ingman, originally from Sundom, is currently on a business trip in China. Ingman, one of the service engineers working on projects for Polarinst, is intensely involved for a month in updating the engine control system of an LNG tanker.

Ingman and his colleagues headed towards 30-degree heat at the end of March 2024, while snow still covered the ground in Finland. The workdays are longer than what many are used to back home, but time still passes quickly.

    We usually work 12 hours a day. We're not here for fun, but we do spend time together in the evenings. The workdays go by quickly.

    Polarinst has sent seven people to work on the tanker. Many of them travel much more than Robin, who combines business trips with his everyday life and his own electrical installation business in Vaasa.

    This is my first trip in about a year. During the corona period, there were many heavy restrictions on business trips; now they feel exciting again. Our work group here is very skilled and experienced. It's easy to join in, Ingman says.

A good work community is essential for task success

    Although Ingman's international trips have been few recently, he is far from a beginner in travel work. Ingman has worked in the United States, Japan, Spain, France, Scotland, and England.

    The working model at Polarinst suits Ingman particularly well:

    Although many offer similar work tasks, I have chosen to work for Polarinst specifically. One reason is that I get along very well with everyone here. There have never been any issues in that regard.

    In travel work, the company or client takes care of practical arrangements. Employees essentially just need to get on the right plane and start the journey. In the current project, Ingman and his colleagues take a bus to the hotel at the end of the workday. In the evenings, the group often eats together. Ingman describes the work community as having a significant impact:

    People who enjoy close interaction with others thrive in this type of work. Everyone I've worked with at Polarinst has been very helpful and nice. These qualities are important when working and living together as intensively as we sometimes do.

Elcon Solutions and Polarinst will be present at the Electricity Light Tele Av electricity trade fair in Jyväskylä this year as well! The event is scheduled for early February, from the 7th to the 9th of February 2024.

During the fair, we will showcase our batteries designed to integrate with solar power systems, in addition to presenting our other products.

Read more on our news page or by clicking the headline!

Elcon Solutions offers solar-powered batteries that are designed specifically for the needs of small and medium-sized industrial companies. The company installed a similar battery in its own factory in November 2023.

"We installed a 60 kWp solar power system in our factory this year," says Rainer Nurkkala from Elcon Solutions. "We produce 55 MWh of solar energy from the roof of our own factory per year, and for this purpose we now have a 50 kWh battery storage system."

This article is produced by the City of Turku and it was originally published on the City of Turku's website.

Elcon Solutions, a promoter of renewable energy, focuses on solar power and energy storage in its operations. By developing and selling battery technology, the company enables an energy transition across various industries. Products designed and manufactured in Finland play a part in reducing carbon emissions and ensuring the security of energy distribution.

Climate action in a nutshell

Elcon Solutions

• Designs, manufactures ja developes battery-backed systems and solar power technology
• Collaborates with customers and partners to develop best practices and processes
• Has also invested in solar energy for its own operations, particularly concerning facility premises

Sales Director Rainer Nurkkala answered to following questions.

Has your company been planning to acquire a solar power system that can generate a significant portion of the power consumption for production machines and air conditioning?

If so, now is the time to act!

Polarinst and Elcon Solutions offer jobs both in Finland and abroad. Polarinst and Elcon Solutions, originating from the Turku region, are strengthening their foothold in the market, which requires solutions for various challenges in energy production. Elcon Solutions designs solutions for renewable energy production and storage, while Polarinst has strong expertise in the design, development, and installation of electrical automation solutions for the shipbuilding industry and power plants. The companies form a group together and work closely together on all customer projects.

Watch a short video of the installation of solar panels on the roof of our own factory!

Elcon Solutions and Polarinst delivered DC and AC switchboards for fluidized bed boilers in Tampere, Finland and in Přerov, Czech Republic during spring 2022. Elcon Solutions was responsible for the design in both projects and Polarinst took care of the installation work and installation support. Altogether 25 people worked in the projects.

DC accumulator systems with 1200 Ah batteries

In Tampere, Elcon and Polarinst were responsible for designing and installing two 1200 Ah accumulator systems to an environmentally friendly CFB boiler. The CFB boiler is connected to district heating and electricity production. Domestic manufacturer’s modular system was used in the switchboard which included 18 fields.  The customers main switchboard has two separate DC systems with batteries which secure power supply and the activity of the boilers in possible fault situations redundantly. The project lasted approximately 10 months from the design phase to the commissioning phase and altogether 10 people from both companies worked in the project.

AC systems of over forty fields was delivered in the Central Europe

Main switchboards of 1600 A as well as smaller switchboards totaling 44 fields and duplicated UPS system were delivered in Přerov, Czech Republic. The switchboard frames were assembled from Rittal modular system, and the used electric components were mainly OEZ products which Elcon Solutions also imports. The end customer had high-quality requirements for the components used in the project.

Because the Přerov BFB boiler plant utilizes old buildings, the available space was limited which demanded a precise design of the main switchboard. The routing and input of large cables had to be scaled carefully so that the enclosure did not became too large.  Elcon and Polarinst utilized their 25 professionals’ wide knowledge of the components, automation and experience of design and installations in this challenging project.

– We utilized in the design the features of open enclosure and with that we were able to keep the enclosure as small as possible. We thought the scaling from several different point of views and we carefully chose the used components. In this project, experience and professionalism had a big role, tells Elcon Solutions’ Design Engineer Jukka Kitunen.

Continuous and available installation support played an important role

Elcon Solutions and Polarinst utilize their special expertise and collaborate closely in project deliveries. The companies’ personnel travels around the globe conducting installations and commissioning projects.

In the abroad based projects, the companies ensure that the customer receives required certificates in a timely manner. For example, in the Central Europe, the basic certificates are not sufficient and along them project and switchboard specific certificates are required. It is typical for the projects to have precise and tight schedules which require continuous availability in the form of support from the partner during the installation phase in Central Europe.

– One of the most essential things from the point of view of the customer is the continuous connection during installation work. We kept an eye on the installation works from Finland, and we were available for installation support. Every week we had a meeting with the customer where we monitored the proceedings of the installation works.

The companies are satisfied with the outcome of the projects. They were able to find solutions to challenging situations. After two similar projects it is safe to say that Elcon’s expertise in designing boiler’s switchboards is on a good level, as well as fresh in their minds.

– We went through numerous documents to which we based design drawings. After carrying out two big projects we can say that we know these kinds of boilers’ electrical control philosophy in-depth. Beside that we found several functional and space saving solutions through design and component choices.

Elcon Solutions Oy and Polarinst Oy formed a group in June 2021, and the companies moved to shared premises in November 2022. As a result of the group structure, the delivery reliability and availability of installation services for both companies have reached an excellent level. The companies now have the capacity to offer projects that require different expertise and work input from 20 to 30 people.

– Our customers are interested in a partner who has the resources to carry out projects with diverse services. Thanks to the collaboration between Elcon and Polarinst, we can guarantee delivery reliability for our staff in commissioning, installation, and maintenance projects, as well as offer almost around-the-clock technical support, says CEO Mika Lappalainen

In the future: clear division of responsibilities and technical support

The goal in the partnership of Elcon and Polarinst is to offer design, products, installations and commissioning from the same supplier for the customer.

– Coordinating between several different suppliers is arduous for the customer and for the service provider.  “The more the merrier” does not apply to projects but instead working with many stakeholders grows the margin of error. Because of this, “one supplier – one invoice” -principle is the most valued option for the customers. This principle means that the division of tasks and responsibilities are clear for the stakeholders, and we improve this service every day.

Companies are building the partnership in a way which offers useful continuity for the customers.

– Our service does not end to the commissioning, but it continues in maintenance, maintaining and keeping up with the customer on a regular basis. This means that the customer receives the best possible support in the future as well.

Stable and safe partner for the long run

When choosing a partner, it is important to have a clear vision and goals for the future.  The operations must be planned and stable to withstand any potential downturns. In the Elcon and Polarinst group, combining the resources of both companies' experts balances the operations of both companies.

– We currently have a remarkable team of professionals with expertise in planning and implementation related to renewable energy projects. By monitoring the order backlog of both companies and dividing the work, we can balance the use of our resources in a way that enables working on a steady pace.

Elcon is constantly developing its products, and Polarinst supports the operations by performing assembly and installation work. Additionally, Polarinst has good opportunities to market Elcon's services through a large global network of contacts.

Eetu Kenni’s career at Polarinst began with an internship in 2019. He was just a thesis away from graduating as Automation and Electrical Engineer and decided to finish his degree while working. Working at Polarinst turned out to be exactly what the doctor ordered. Eetu decided to stay and is currently working at Polarinst as a Project Engineer.

─ I had not really planned my career beforehand. I thought working at Polarinst was wonderful and decided to stay. I have always gravitated towards positions I truly enjoy. Enjoying what you do makes going to work every day pleasant. It makes your everyday life not feel forced.

Kenni started out as a technician. Soon, other tasks were added to his job description, further expanding his skill set. Kenni is extremely happy with his current position.

─ This job provides the variety I look for. It is the perfect balance of office and travel and challenges me enough to keep my interest up. Naturally, a good, laid-back work community is crucial for job satisfaction. Everyone is allowed to be who they are and no one has to wonder whether they can speak up about something or not.

Assignments All Over the Globe

─ I already got on my first assignment in the summer of 2019. The trip lasted for three weeks. We travelled to New York across the Atlantic by ship. Travel work is exciting because you always learn something new. Assignments last from a week to a few weeks, depending on the destination.

When on an assignment, work can be done 12 hours a day, seven days a week. Usually, there are three co-workers, the customer’s representative and local workforce on-site. The duration of the trips depends on the project, but normally they last around 1─4 weeks.

─ The most exciting and probably the most exotic destination I have been to was in the middle of the Brazilian rainforest. We spent three weeks in Brazil and then three weeks at home. The project lasted about a year in total and there were multiple people involved from our company, as well.

Cooperation with Elcon Solutions Brings Synergistic Benefits

Kenni believes it is brilliant that Polarinst and Elcon Solutions, who form a corporation together, continuously strengthen their cooperation. After moving into a joint facility, the companies can now utilize both companies’ expertise and offer customers even a larger variety of services.

─ The tighter cooperation is already having positive effects on our everyday life ─ I am already running a lot of Elcon projects. From an employee’s perspective, the cooperation is nothing but positive and brings with it whole new possibilities.

We back up the network intelligently and responsibly - Elcon Solutions Oy

We are present at Verkostomessu 2023 in Tampere at booth 184 A.

Come and get to know our products and services!

Our selection includes e.g.

⚡ Systems that secure electricity distribution even in critical locations during outages

⚡ Electricity distribution centers

⚡ AC centers

⚡ Solutions for renewable energy storage

…and much more!

We deliver our solutions to power plants, electricity distribution network companies, rail traffic, ICT and data centers, as well as the needs of various industrial sectors.

Get to know our company on our website and come and ask us more!

Ps. Remember that admission to the fair is free! Go by registering as a visitor in advance.

Jukka Kitunen works as a Design Engineer. He graduated as a Master of Science in Technology in 2008 from Tampere University of Technology. He majored in modern electrical energy.

– In addition to solar and wind energy studies, we also had fuel cell and hydrogen technology topics in our studies. In 2008 we could not predict, how these technologies would proceed in the future, Kitunen says.

Routines and challenges in a balanced ratio

Kitunen started to work at Elcon in 2019. Before moving to Elcon, he gathered experience from working with compensation devices for reactive power for ten years. Compensation systems were delivered to the main grids electrical substations and to big steel plants all over the world. The schedules of these projects could easily stretch. In his current position Kitunen enjoys projects, which are manageable with a clear schedule. Work community and the company are convenient in size: decision making is smooth, and he knows his colleagues. At its best, everyday work offers routine tasks and more challenging projects.

– I am very familiarized with Elcon’s basic systems and working with them is effortless. We produce circuit diagrams and layouts, which we customize according to the customers requirements. We also deliver them DC power supply systems, inverters, and batteries for auxiliary electricity systems. Though we mainly work on our computers, sometimes I participate in production and testing.

Besides shorter projects and routine tasks, Elcon has ongoing bigger and more challenging projects, too. These projects include designing and delivering auxiliary power systems and motor centers to boiler power plants in Finland and Europe.

– These deliveries are large-scale, and they might include over 40 row cabinets. Because the spaces for the cabinets are limited in boiler power plants, the designer must have an ability to apply things in practice. These kinds of projects are challenging, but also interesting.

Collecting solar energy to batteries interests

Elcon has batteries, which are compatible with systems which collect electricity through solar panels. These solutions interest public as well as the hard-core professionals of the field.

– At this moment I am especially interested in the functions and developing of batteries which collect solar electricity. The high demand has awoken all kind of service providers, but cost efficient, safe, and functional systems are now the object of great interest. In my opinion, Elcon has all the qualities to be a part of this development and to answer the demand.

Elcon was one of the suppliers in a large-scale RESPONSE  project, which was related especially to the self-sufficient energy production.

– The RESPONSE project is a very interesting project, and it was great to participate in it. There could absolutely be continuity for this kind of projects.

Commuting with “an engineer-like twist”

Kitunen participates in saving energy with concrete acts in his personal life. He saves in gasoline costs, because he cycles the 5-kilometer-long commute to work around the year, in whatever weather conditions. And an engineer could not be an engineer if the work would not merge in the free time also.

– I have actively cycled for years and besides riding I also assemble bicycles. Working on bikes is easy once you learn to do it by yourself. I have also made myself an electric bicycle to which I bought the electric parts separately.

Energel Oy is Vantaa-based, soon-to-be 30-year-old importer of medium and high voltage equipment, materials and components for the electronics and electrical industry as well as automation components. The company is a part of a Norwegian group which employs 150 professionals.

The first common project of Elcon and Energel, Jokeri Light Rail, is extensive: the most used bus line in Helsinki-area will be history, when approximately 25-kilometer-long light rail line will replace the bus line early in 2024. Collaboration between Elcon and Energel has been easy from the start, and they have been able to stay on the schedule despite the global component shortage.

Energel delivers process equipment for the substations which electrify the light rail.
– At this point, there is altogether 15 installed substations on the route giving energy for the trams. Energel delivers converters and DC equipment for the contact wire system. Elcon’s part is to take care of the battery backed up auxiliary power supply and make sure that it works for the control and protective systems as it should, Mika Väärämäki, CEO of Energel, tells.

Price, security of supply and staying on the schedule are competitive advantages

The construction of the Jokeri Light Rail has stayed on the schedule irreproachably: the construction started in 2019 and the test runs started already in 2022. It is estimated that the test runs will last until the June of 2023. Väärämäki appreciates two factors above everything else in Elcon’s work:

– Competitive price, security of supply and quality are always the most important things when we are choosing a partner. It is especially great that the Jokeri Light Rail has stayed wonderfully on the schedule, though during these challenging times delays are more than common in many construction projects.

Elcon’s activity in reacting to service requests makes the collaboration smooth

Diverse and fast service is Elcon’s trademark: during the Joker Light Rail-project Elcon customized the assembly of equipment’s after the delivery by adding an inverter to the equipment cabinets so they could add one extra output voltage level to each cabinet.

Väärämäki has been pleased to the smooth collaboration with Elcon through the project. Though this project was first as a company for Energel with Elcon, Väärämäki already had positive experiences from the company. He has worked with Elcon when he was a contractor for another company:

– Elcon has always reacted fast to service requests. I cannot emphasize enough the significance of response time when we are speaking of smooth collaboration, Väärämäki ends.

Source of light railway car image: City of Helsinki Media Bank

Elcon Solutions Oy and Polarinst Oy have moved to joint office on November 1, 2022; Lisenssikatu 2, Naantali.

Elcon Solutions Oy supplies product solutions for back up power and storage of electrical energy, and Polarinst Oy supplies demanding ship and power plant automation solutions. The companies formed a group structure in the summer of 2021. Shared offices are the next step in closer cooperation between the parent company and the subsidiary.

Mika Lappalainen, CEO

Elcon Solutions Oy and Polarinst Oy

mika.lappalainen@elcon.fi
Puh. +358 400 726 826

Photograph: Timo Sundgren

Elcon delivers wireless battery monitoring system CELLGUARD™ Wireless. The monitoring system is especially suitable for lead batteries (BMS). The connection between battery sensors and Base Coordinator Unit is formed wirelessly.

This system offers precise and reliable indicator of the battery health through analyzing voltage, temperature, and monitoring conductance. It is possible to monitor the condition of the battery in real time through the web-interface which is included in the monitoring system. The interface allows changes, updates and monitoring the whole system remotely. With noise tolerance the CELLGUARD™ wireless battery monitoring system is suitable for power plants and data centers. This battery monitoring system can monitor up to 16 battery strings with 300 batteries at maximum.

The need for capacity/discharge tests reduces

In some cases, capacity/discharge tests might cause temporary breaks in securing operations. The battery monitoring system decreases these risks. The monitoring system do not remove the need of capacity/discharge tests completely, but it reduces the need of them remarkably. The capacity of battery is measured with sensors and the trend chart which formulates over longer period with the help of measurements will tell when the condition of the battery is in such a state that it needs essential maintenance.

The wireless system consists of these components:

• Wireless sensor
• Base Coordinator Unit BCU
• Voltage, temperature and current measurement unit (VTC)
• DC-DC -inverter
• Current converter
• CONVERGETM Web-interface

The installation of the wireless monitoring systems needs only one maintenance break to be available for use.

Reduce the overall maintenance costs

By using condition monitoring (trend charts) it is possible to plan the necessary maintenance actions for the battery proactively (preventive maintenance) before the battery state-of-health is unsatisfactory. For example, if the conductance trend graph shows that the battery is nearing the end of its service life, the maintenance break can be planned beforehand and be performed on time. If the replacement batteries are only purchased when the condition of the batteries is already poor, considerable costs and delays in the operation of the battery backup system may arise. Preventive maintenance and reduction of capacity tests will decrease the overall maintenance costs of the batteries.

Solutions for battery monitoring in an environment with electromagnetic interference

If the batteries are in an environment with electromagnetic interferences, the remote monitoring can be done with CELLGUARD™ Wired battery monitoring system (BMS). This system has the same benefits as the wireless version, but the connection between sensors and Base Coordinator Unit is wired.

The user interface enables remote system monitoring, configurations, and firmware updates

CONVERGE™ web interface comes with the wireless and wired battery monitoring systems as default. The interface enables the following operations:

• Perfect overall evaluation of the condition of battery and battery strings.
• Real time information about the voltage, temperature, conductance and the resistance of the connection between batteries
• Two-way communication inside network allows for remote configuration, setup, changes, and firmware updates
• Configurations can be downloaded and saved or if needed, to be used for setting up other similar assemblies
• Remote BCU and sensor firmware updates, Modbus configuration, manual tests for voltage, temperature and conductance and the system reset
• Clear picture of the overall condition of the system, alarms and warnings

Ask more about the wireless battery monitoring system from us!

Rainer Nurkkala
Sales Director
rainer.nurkkala(at)elcon.fi
 +358 44 538 6003

Janne Nurmi
Sales Manager
janne.nurmi(at)elcon.fi
 +358 45 230 5070

— This job is a great combination of different tasks. Occasional gig work helps balance everyday routines. At the moment, my main tasks are testing switchboards and training staff in assembly. Variation comes from commissioning and maintenance gigs, says Toni Sulin. Sulin started working at Elcon in assembly right after his military service and now works as a switchboard mechanic.

After starting his career in assembly, Sulin’s job description has constantly expanded. Today, new employees still go through the same learning process: they start with simpler tasks and move on to more challenging work as their expertise increases.

— My degree in Electrical Engineering has been a good base for my work here at Elcon. I have studied coding in my free time, which has also been useful. The majority of learning obviously comes from the work itself. The atmosphere here is good – we are happy to answer each other’s questions and tackle challenges together.

Testing switchboards requires precision and meticulousness

The work of a tester requires precision and meticulousness. If topped off with a passion for problem solving, testing can be very rewarding.

— Testing gets easier with experience. Developing a product to its most functional and highest-selling form brings a challenge to my work. Of course, product development cannot be taken to extremes. The price of the product has to remain at a sensible level for the customer. I have been involved in developing the mechanics and the technology of new products.

Sulin’s extensive work experience is a great advantage in the maintenance and commissioning tasks he occasionally performs at the sites of customers and contractors.

— Irregular gigs bring much needed variation to everyday routines. Customers also provide direct feedback on the products, which is valuable in terms of product development and sales.

A clear job description brings balance to everyday life

If a person works the same job for 10 years, there is a reason behind it. Commitment stems from many different factors. At Elcon, there is an atmosphere of trust and easy-goingness. According to Sulin, this is achieved through good leadership, varying work tasks and a low hierarchy. Coming back to work from vacation is easy when you know exactly where to pick back up.

— Our staff turnover is pretty low, so I have known my co-workers for a long time. The open dialogue here at Elcon motivates learning. We do not have to be afraid of making mistakes. Variating tasks keep our interest up. I am happy working here and pleased to see Elcon moving forward and growing. Growth always comes with new possibilities.

The city of Turku aims to be carbon neutral by the year 2029 and to be climate positive from there on. This was one of the many factors for Turku to apply to the EU funded RESPONSE project, which aims to establish a strategic vision for smart cities energy transition towards climate-neutrality by 2050.

During the RESPONSE project Turku and another lighthouse city – Dijon in France – will develop positive energy blocks (PEBs) and districts (PEDs) with six other fellow cities. These positive energy blocks mean areas which produce at minimum as much energy as they consume. Turku and Dijon will build the solutions, which will be introduced to other fellow cities during the project.

The largest professional event in the Nordic countries, the Sähkö Valo Tele Av fair, will be held in September 7.-9.9.2022. The electricity fair offers its visitors a unique overview of industry trends and new technologies and operators. All suppliers, customers and partners gather at the most important trade fair in the industry, and again this year all the exhibitor seats at the fair have been sold out!

Places where are considerable peak demands or extended runtimes require big batteries. With Elcon’s batteries it is possible to secure, for example, control systems of factories for several hours or even up to a day to secure the undisturbed functions of a factory.

Batteries are a step closer to self-sufficiency

Energy becoming more expensive, unstable world situation and environment friendly thinking have risen the interest towards self-sufficiency in the terms of electrical energy. Self-sufficiency is seen as an important and interesting matter in every sector of the society.

A good example of this interest is the Response-project, in which energy positive neighborhoods and cities are piloted. Elcon takes part to this project with their batteries, which are connected to the DC Microgrid. This high voltage electrical grid covers several real estates. DC batteries are joined to the electrical grid, and they are used to store renewable energy. The stored energy can be distributed between the real estates joined to the DC Microgrid without additional conversions.

– Batteries are the most suitable for the storing of renewable energy, such as solar energy. The batteries can also be a part of a bigger energy storage system. Because the green transition is accelerating, the need for these kinds of batteries will probably grow, says Juha Raukola, Engineering Manager of Elcon.

Storing the renewable energy helps to shave consumption peaks and reduce energy bill when energy demand is high. With the stored energy it is possible to optimize the use of the most affordable electricity. When the price of the electricity or the consumption are high, savings can be achieved through using one’s own energy storage.

Undisturbed power to critical functions

Elcon’s batteries are the perfect fit for e.g., industry systems, electricity distribution and to secure data traffic, as well as for UPS’s. Elcon has also delivered verification systems to critical functions, which maintain society’s technical infrastructure.

– In a society there are always some places which must be running undisturbed in every situation. We are very proud that our devices fill the criteria for the highest standards, and we can be a part of actions which make our society safer.

The right battery for the right place

Battery technology is developing fast but traditional lead acid batteries are still relevant in the market. The popularity of lithium batteries is raising because of their excellent charging and discharging features. These features are important when the battery is charged and discharged frequently, even daily. Lead batteries are a great fit to locations where extended run is not needed so often but when it is needed, the extended runtime is longer. Additionally, they are popular because of their price.

Batteries based on lithium technology are a versatile group. For example, lithium iron phosphate batteries used in the Response-project have a lifetime of 15 years, which is remarkably longer than lithium-ion batteries.

– When thinking about the most suitable solution it is important to give a thought for the use of the batteries. Seemingly more affordable product might not be cheaper for the long run if the batteries do not fill the demands of the use. For example, using lead acid batteries in a hot climate is not the best decision. Instead, one should prefer nickel cadmium batteries which can tolerate heat much better than lead batteries.

Finnish know-how to develop hydrogen economy

Finnish government announced on the 22nd of June 2022 that a national hydrogen network will be established in Finland. The ambitious climate targets set by Finland and the EU, the rise in energy prices and phasing out Russian fossil energy have accelerated the need to find new energy solutions, particularly emission-free ones. There are also other reasons behind this decision – the Finnish government sees a great potential in the hydrogen economy, and it hints in the announcement that Finland could have a remarkable role as a hydrogen producer and as a country exporting hydrogen.

This is not a surprise for Elcon and they already have thought solutions for the hydrogen technology.

– We have taken this into consideration in our products. We have the technical readiness to add fuel cells as a part of electric distribution verification in the EPS System. Hydrogen produced with using renewable energy is completely clean and with the help of fuel cells it can be turned into electrical and heat energy. By replacing, for example, a diesel generator with fuel cells emissions can be reduced remarkably.

Are you interested in storing renewable energy and DC batteries? Call or send us an email and ask more!

Rainer Nurkkala, Sales Director +358 44 538 6003 rainer.nurkkala(at)elcon.fi

Janne Nurmi, Sales Manager +358 45 230 5070 janne.nurmi(at)elcon.fi

Juha Raukola, Engineering Manager +358 45 122 5628 juha.raukola(at)elcon.fi

Janne Nurmi swam upstream in the end stage of his studies when he did not apply for an internship in Nokia’s factory in 2008. Instead, Nurmi wanted to do his internship in a company where he could get familiar with the field from a more versatile viewpoint.

– I had heard that in Nokia engineering students were put working on an assembly line. I wanted something else, and I applied for the internship at Elcon. I did my diploma work here and after that they made me a permanent employee, says Nurmi.

Elcon is known for long-term employments and changes in the personnel are small. The company still employs interns who are looking for a place where to do their diploma work.

– I believe that the free and positive atmosphere in our company is the reason why people stay with us. We do not watch over other’s shoulders but instead we trust to our colleague’s know-how. It is important to have long-term employees with us because they know a lot about the company, and they also have tacit knowledge.

Sales Manager with deep technical know-how

Nowadays Nurmi works at Elcon as a Sales Manager, who has a strong technical understanding of Elcon’s products and solutions. Customer gets an accurate offer cost wise because the offer is made precisely according to the customers hopes and needs. Rapid and thorough replies to call for offers are one of Elcon’s competitive factors.

– I have worked in testing for several years and I have taken part to developing our current EPS systems.  So, I am very familiar with these products and solutions. This is one of the most important things working as a salesperson. We want to sell solutions which work for the customer the best way possible. That is why the salesperson should be able to give answers to very different questions. If we do not know the answer, we will look for it. This field of business fascinates me to a point where new questions are always an interesting challenge. The on-going learning is one of the most fascinating things at Elcon.

A trustworthy supplier for international companies

Elcon emphasizes process development and continuously maintaining quality . As a partner for multinational companies Elcon has been able to develop their actions and products to answer to the most demanding terms the customers could have.

– We do not compromise the quality of our products, documentation and instructions are on an excellent level and we have designed the installation to be as easy as possible. We stand behind the products we have developed and manufactured – our product is adequate for whatever additions the customer would like to add to it.

The most important thing for a customer during the contract negotiations is the price. Besides delivery reliability and great quality-price ratio, the customer can get a whole lot more, when goals and wishes are communicated openly during the negotiations. At Elcon they are happy to discuss about these things.

– To our customers, we offer a partnership which is beneficial for both partners. Innovations and development are focused to solutions which advance both, the customer and us, says Mika Lappalainen CEO of Elcon.

The whole personnel are committed to maintaining quality systems

Stable quality is not a coincidence, but it is achieved by systematic work. The CEO does not want to highlight any specific subject, which is in excellent state in the company. According to Lappalainen “we already make things as good as we can, and our aim is to turn the good to be the best”. Lappalainen also credits their personnel for the stable and ongoing maintenance of the quality systems.

 – Our supervisors and employees are committed to maintaining the quality systems, because they know how beneficial those are. Being systematic makes everyone’s life easier.

Another motivating factor for developing the quality systems is that the company allocates generated savings to the use of the personnel.

– We have succeeded in creating a win-win-situation: Our personnel are rewarded for their good work and this work causes benefits for the company and for the customers.

“Our professionals are remarkably interested in this field”

At Elcon they focus on listening and having conversations with the customer. From the basis of these conversations, they can offer solutions tailored to meet the customer’s needs. At Elcon they do not sell package solutions right from the shelf. The aim of the conversations is to find a solution which will serve the customer now and, in the future, as well.

Trust is built when customers notice that beside ongoing contract manufacturing, Elcon also offers services for customers’ needs which might be the most various and need innovations. The development requires from the personnel a real desire for innovation and solving challenges, on top of the know-how they already have.

– People working with us are really interested in their field of work. Positive attitude and motivation to develop new solutions causes visible results which directly benefits our customers.

Taking responsibility on every aspect of the business

As a partner of big and international companies, Elcon maintains and develops quality systems (ISO 9001:2015 & ISO 14001:2015) as well as code of conduct. With business continuity plan they ensure functions under surprising circumstances. The company uses ERP system which is vastly utilized in planning of the company’s economy, service processes, and course of actions. Pedantic documentation has been one of the company’s most important course of actions for a long time.

– We are ready to develop our operations according to the strict requirements our customers have. Even better, if the development can be utilized for our other functions in the long run as well. It is great that in these kind of collaborations big customers are willing to understand the viewpoint of the supplier.

Interested in collaboration? Get to know our personnel and give us a call!

Finnish company Elcon takes care of electricity distribution and power supply also during crises

Elcon Solutions manufactures power supply systems for critical targets in which high safety factors are self-evident. Elcon has four standard models for power supply systems: DC, AC, Hybrid and DC/DC systems.  The Elcon Power Systems main components are rectifiers, batteries, converters, and inverters which are installed in a system cabinet and controlled by the system controller. The main components as well as the outputs are modular. Thereby Elcon Power Systems are customized according to the customer’s requirements and expectations.

Elcon Power System provides the lowest lifecycle costs on the market

Elcon has developed and designed their products for fifteen years – and it has paid off. Elcon Power Systems (EPS) has been delivered to eighty different countries to respond to the needs of power plants, industries, ICT, railway traffic, and telecom. In other words, this means over 2000 delivered EPS’s. The Finnish manufacturer ensures that the components are at hand as well as fast technical support when maintenance is needed. Elcons’ database holds vast amount of information from the fifteen-year period and this information is used to improve their products even further.

– The durability of the components we have chosen to use has been tested thoroughly. We have also chosen components which are available in the future as well. Because of this, the lifecycle costs of the products are the lowest on the market, says Rainer Nurkkala, Sales Director of Elcon Solutions.

Easy installation, ready to use – this is Elcon Power System

– We deliver to our customers products that are easy to understand and use. In practice this means that we must choose the right solution for the customer, test meticulously before delivery, deliver clear installation guidelines, and ensure accessible technical support over the phone. Before choosing the solution for our customer, we check things that might not even cross our customer’s mind.

Every device leaving the factory is tested thoroughly before delivery. The device’s cables are also checked to make sure that they are the right fit for the customer’s connections. After the installation the device is ready to be used because it is already parametrized.

– The mechanics have a sweet spot for our devices because the installation is so easy. The design is thought through to make the installation and commissioning a piece of cake for competent mechanics.

Demanding customers have made us to exceed ourselves

Elcon also consults customers after they have purchased the products. The customer relations are more like partnerships than only buying and selling products and services.

– We have an exceptional customer base that knows exactly what they want. They have high standards which is a great thing. Know-how and experience are not enough in these kinds of collaborations. The most important things are the will to excel and success. We are sincerely interested in providing the best possible solution on the market. We aim to be a partner, who offers something new for the most experienced project managers around.

Read more about us!

Do not hesitate to contact us!

Extensive EPS AC and DC system projects such as Wärtsilä Smart Technology Hub Vaasa, Hitachi GRQ5A in the Netherlands, Fingrid Kärppiö and Wärtsilä CCI Mexicali Oriente / CCI Parque Industrial provided a good starting point for the past year. The company's processes and delivered projects achieved the quality targets set in the ISO standards.

The corporate reorganization started in the spring and its implementation with Polarinst Ltd brought credit and stability to the company. The reorganizational arrangements between Polarinst and Elcon liberated the atmosphere of the work community and gave energy to the company' s development work. Coercion and old-fashioned thoughts were left behind, with new and innovative ideas. The allocation of human resources has increased productivity and employee motivation through renewed work assignments.

Interesting projects this year, such as the development of RESPONSE (integrated Solutions for Positive eNergy and resilient CitiEs) and Elcon's Lithium High-Voltage Battery Storage, will lay the foundation for renewable energy storage. 

A good start to 2022 has been made possible by the increased motivation and innovative ideas of our staff and good customer relationships.

Elcon's entire team wishes all its customers and partners a very happy holiday season and a wonderful New Year.

Elcon Solutions Oy changes Managing Director.

Rainer Nurkkala will resign as Managing Director and Mika Lappalainen, Chairman of the Board of Polarinst Oy, will start as CEO of Elcon Solutions Oy on October 1, 2021.

Rainer Nurkkala has been involved in developing and piloting the company during the difficult Covid period. Rainer will continue as Elcon's sales director and expert positions and will continue to support our customers. We thank Rainer for his contribution to the company.

Turku 1.10.2021            Mika Lappalainen, CEO 

A new  corporation structure provides more added value to our customers.

Project automation management and engineering knowledge of the group offers better synergies and broader scope of supply on services.

Polarinst delivers demanding marine and power plant automation projects and Elcon Solutions is focusing on battery backup technology products.

Customer projects are implemented by using installation, manufacturing and engineering resources of the corporation.

We are now better than ever at your service.

You can rely on us.

Please contact for further information:

Polarinst Oy

Mika Lappalainen

CEO

mika.lappalainen(at)polarinst.fi

+358 400 726 826

Elcon Solutions Oy

Mika Lappalainen

Managing Director

mika.lappalainen(at)elcon.fi

+358 400 726 826

New feature of Elcon Power Systems is IEC 61859 support. It can be used for data transfer to e.g. SCADA systems.

The measurements and alarms of EPS can be transfered via MODBUS TCP and SNMP as well.

•In modular EPS systems, it is possible

to add two control units to one system.

•The first one operates as a main controller and the
second one as a reserve unit.

•If an unlikely event occurs where the
main controller fails, the reserve unit takes over control of the EPS System

•In this way, the redundancy of the entire EPS system can
be increased.

•However, the EPS system also works without a control
unit, in which case the rectifier modules supply the load with the basic
settings.

SOLARWATT presents the first fully modular power storage device in the world: the MyReserve. Thanks to its extendable design, it is virtually unlimited in terms of capacity and performance.

The system is built from modules that consists of lithium battery cells and power electronics. That brings many benefits:

■ Scalable capacity 2.4 - 7.2 kWh (charge and discharge power 0.8 - 24 kW)

■ Battery size is adjustable afterwards

■ Needs only a little mounting space on the wall

■ Easy and quick installation. Heaviest part is 25 kg, only one technician can carry out the installation

■ In case of maintenance or fault in module, only the faulty one needs to be replaced 

The modular solar battery is now available form Elcon Solutions.

Please contacts sales to get more information.

Verkosto-messujen ajankohta muuttunut korona pandemian takia. Jotta mahdollisimman moni kävijä ja näytteilleasettaja voisi osallistua messuille, ne pidetään 6.-7.10.2021. 

Tervetuloa osastollemme A 184!

Lisää tietoa löytyy messujen sivuilta.

Elcon participates the Network 2021 trade fair at Tampere 20.–21.1.2021.

Welcome to our exhibition stand A 184.

We'll see you there.

Dear Customers and Partners,
Please visit us at SähköTeleValoAV 2020 trade fair!
Stand D-106