Balancing solutions

Balancing power plant solutions

The bridge to the future

Flexible and scalable balancing power plants keep the grid stable

Issues involved in the energy transition have real consequences for everyone on the planet. Current market trends show the energy landscape is transitioning towards more flexible energy systems with a rapidly increasing share of renewable energy, a declining inflexible baseload generation, and a wider application of storage technology.

As renewables increasingly displace traditional baseload generation the greater the need becomes to shore up the grid’s stability with balancing capacity. Energy producers need to invest in flexible technologies that provide fast-ramping balancing power that can be scaled up as the share of renewables in the power system increases.

Wärtsilä’s flexible and scalable balancing solutions quickly ramp up whenever renewables aren’t generating enough electricity – providing the necessary balancing power to keep the grid stable.

See the flexibility of engine power plants in action

This visual case study, based on real-world data from South Australia's national electricity market, showcases the engine power plant's unmatched flexibility when comparing to an aeroderivative gas turbine power plant in full operation.

Our balancing power plant products

Wärtsilä 31SG gas engine for power plants. — Wärtsilä 31SG power optimised gas engine

Designed to provide flexible grid capacity even in adverse weather conditions and enable renewables.

Wärtsilä 34SG Balancer gas engine for power plants — Wärtsilä 34SG power optimised gas engine

Optimised for balancing renewable power generation and provides flexible yet affordable demand generation.

Wärtsilä 50SG gas engine for power plants. — Wärtsilä 50SG gas engine

High efficiency in a small footprint combined with great reliability and flexibility.

Key benefits of Wärtsilä balancing power plants

Flexible

Adapts to different operation profiles and running hours - so you can integrate renewables seamlessly into your energy mix as they come on-stream.
Can already today run on biogas and hydrogen-blends, while our fuel-pioneering R&D is continuously working on adapting our solutions to future fuel alternatives.

Profitable

With outstanding efficiency, fast start up times and a wide load range, our balancing solutions are well poised to maximise the revenue stack in a dynamic balancing market.
A high power density and a plant design optimised for balancing lowers the investment burden.
Remote monitoring and control means you need fewer people on the ground.

Reliable

Multiple units maximize plant availability – up to 99% reliability year-round in the plants we operate.
We’ve delivered over 79 GW in 180 countries. This technology has clocked over 175 million hours of run time.

This is how we have helped our customers

Centrica, UK

The rapid growth in renewable energy in the UK has increased the need for flexible power to balance the electricity grid. Wärtsilä has worked closely with energy and services company Centrica to provide the changing market with flexible energy, helping tackle the issues created by intermittent renewables and supporting the transition to a low-carbon energy system.
Read more
Benndale, Missisippi, USA

Enabling an increase in variable generation with more flexible capacity that can rapidly start up when needed.
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Balancing power plant brings needed flexibility and efficiency to power systems

Wärtsilä's flexible and scalable balancing solutions quickly ramp up whenever renewables aren't generating enough electricity – providing the necessary balancing power to keep the grid stable.

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Read our brochure

Read our product brochure to get all the details on our balancing power plants.

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100% renewable electricity system

How would a cost-optimal 100% renewable electricity system look like in Central Europe versus West Africa? Download the white paper to find out.

Wärtsilä Balancing solutions

Brochure

Wärtsilä’s balancing portfolio

Wärtsilä has a full solution portfolio focusing on understanding the customers and their path towards optimised renewable generation in their specific locations. Read the brochure to learn more.

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