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 Balancer 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 Balancer 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

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

We’ve delivered over 74GW in 180 countries - so we know when a technology works. And this technology has clocked over 43 million hours of run time - with up to 99% reliability year round in the plants we operate.
We provide 24/7 support from our Expertise Centres to customers with Wärtsilä Lifecycle solution.

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.

Videos

Wärtsilä’s balancing technology is making the energy transition a reality. In our video series children challenge leaders of Wärtsilä to talk about the change in an approachable way.

Episode 1: Saving the planet

Wärtsilä is convinced that balancing is the path to a 100% renewable energy future. But if Business Director of Europe for Wärtsilä Energy, Pekka Tolonen, really is here to save the planet, what other superpowers does he have? Our interviewer Anton (10) decided to find out.

Episode 2: Talking tech

Wärtsilä’s balancing technology is already bringing the future closer in many countries. But does it come with a decent app? Our reporter Ralph (11) asks the Product Director at Wärtsilä Energy, Rasmus Teir, the tech questions others don’t dare.

Episode 3: Changing energy

Wärtsilä’s balancing technology is making the energy transition a reality. But what about the future we’re transitioning to? Will everyone’s energy come from the sun and wind - and will there be unicorns? Alma (8), asks Anja Frada, Vice President for Strategy & Business Development at Wärtsilä Energy the tough questions.