Flexible 100 MW combined heat and power plant in Germany achieves first start

The new combined heat and power (CHP) plant built by Kraftwerke Mainz-Wiesbaden AG (KMW) and supplied by Wärtsilä has successfully achieved its so-called first start. In this first run on April 18th the gas-fuelled Wärtsilä 34SG engines of the plant were started for the first time on site. This project milestone constitutes an important step towards the start of operations of the power plant later this year.

Municipal energy producer KMW can in future reliably provide 100 MW of electrical power and up to 96 MW of sustainable district heating to approximately 40,000 households of the city of Mainz. With an efficiency up to 90 percent and the engines’ efficient use of natural gas, the CHP plant will also help reduce emissions. KMW recognises the benefits that greater flexibility in the generation of conventional power offers, as the share of renewables in the system steadily increases. Not only does this flexibility guarantee reliable power supply, but it also enables KMW to operate profitably in short-term power markets.

“This first run of the engines at our combined heat and power (CHP) plant is a very special moment, raising the pleasant anticipation for the start of operations,” said Dr. Lars Eigenmann, CEO at Kraftwerke Mainz-Wiesbaden AG.

“This start of the engines brings us one step closer to the completion of this state-of-the-art power plant. We are proud to deliver a power plant to KMW which will support Germany’s ambitious energy transition towards a renewable energy future. The planned coal-exit and the increasing share of renewables in the power system mean that there will be an even greater need for flexible and efficient capacity,” said Melle Kruisdijk, Vice President, Europe, Wärtsilä Energy Business.

Upon completion of the power plant, the Mainz-Wiesbaden area will be undergoing a transition from a traditional power and heat generation system to a modern, agile, low-carbon system utilising green energy assets to the full.

Wärtsilä’s scope for the power plant covers engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) as well as a 15-year asset performance agreement that guarantees the starting availability and reliability of the plant.

Read more:

Press release: Wärtsilä to supply flexible 100 MW combined heat and power plant to Germany 
Case study 
Guaranteed asset performance for power plants 

Image caption: The new combined heat and power (CHP) plant built by Kraftwerke Mainz-Wiesbaden AG (KMW) and supplied by Wärtsilä has successfully achieved its so-called first start on April 18, 2019. Copyright: KMW.

For more information, please contact:

Melle Kruisdijk
Vice President, Europe
Wärtsilä Energy Business
Tel. +31 88 9803362
melle.kruisdijk@wartsila.com

Mirja-Maija Santala
Manager, Marketing & Communications
Wärtsilä Energy Business
Tel. +358 400 793 827
mirja-maija.santala@wartsila.com
 

Wärtsilä in brief
Wärtsilä is a global leader in smart technologies and complete lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. By emphasising sustainable innovation, total efficiency and data analytics, Wärtsilä maximises the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers. In 2018, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 5.2 billion with approximately 19,000 employees. The company has operations in over 200 locations in more than 80 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
www.wartsila.com  

Wärtsilä Energy Business in brief
Wärtsilä Energy Business is leading the transition towards a 100% renewable energy future. As an energy system integrator, we understand, design, build and serve optimal power systems for future generations. Wärtsilä’s solutions provide the needed flexibility to integrate renewables and secure power system reliability. Our offering comprises engine-based flexible power plants – including liquid gas systems – hybrid solar power plants, energy management systems and storage and integration solutions. We support our customers over the lifecycle of their installations with services that enable increased efficiency and guaranteed performance. Wärtsilä has 70 GW of installed power plant capacity in 177 countries around the world.
www.wartsila.com/energy