Kiel cogeneration plant a ‘flagship of Energiewende’

Stadtwerke Kiel has approved the go-ahead for what is being touted as Germany’s most flexible power plant.

The 190 MW gas-fired cogeneration plant in Kiel is being hailed as a flagship power project for Germany’s Energiewende or energy transition.

Incentives provided by Germany’s Combined Heat and Power Act for the economic viability of the second phase of the gas-powered cogeneration facility played a significant role in facilitating the plant. Following a legal examination of subsidies available on behalf of the European Union commission, the 2016 subsidy rate of the Act was finalized at the end of October 2016 and will now provide the final foundational planning security for the project.

The plant has a total efficiency of 90 per cent, setting new standards in that measurement, while reducing environmental impact. With Enhanced Operational Flexibility, 20 of GE’s Jenbacher J920 FleXtra Gas Engines will provide 190 MW of power and complement renewable energy sources.

For GE’s Distributed Power in Jenbach, which collaborates with the general contractor Kraftanlagen München (KAM), this is the largest contract in company history.

“Our K.I.E.L. coastal power plant represents Kiel’s intelligent energy solution, which allows us to ensure the supply of district heating in Kiel and to make an important contribution to both the energy transition plan and to environmental protection,” said Chairman of the Management Board Frank Meier, Stadwerke Kiel.

The GE Jenbacher J920 FleXtra gas engines provide the heart of the combined heat and power (CHP) plant on the east bank of the Kieler Förde inlet. The gas power facility will emit around 70 per cent less carbon dioxide than the previous coal-fired power plant.

According to plan, the city of Kiel’s gas-powered cogeneration facility will provide district heating and electric power as early as fall of 2018.

Source: Decentralised Energy