Energy optimisation and lifecycle solutions in Chambersburg

The Borough of Chambersburg (Franklin County) has approximately 21,000 residents and is part of the State of Pennsylvania. Chambersburg is an exceptional municipality in Pennsylvania since they have their own power plant. As a municipal electric utility, the plant is owned and operated by and for the residents of the community. By making and selling power, Chambersburg has lower net energy costs than communities that buy all their power.

Chambersburg updated the automation system of their 23-megawatt power plant consisting of four Wärtsilä 18V32DF dual-fuel engines to achieve better reliability. The upgrade enables faster ramp-up times and minimizes start failures, which are key features for getting the power plant online quickly. Other benefits are lower NOx-emissions, a slightly improved heat rate and noticeably less cylinder knocking.

Who	The Borough of Chambersburg
What	23 MW Chambersburg peaking power plant
Where	Pennsylvania, USA
How	4X18V32DF + Wärtsilä UNIC C3

This is what we achieved

23 MW

Of electrical output to support local power grid.

21 K

Households powered in the Borough of Chambersburg.

W18V32DF + UNIC C3 to ensure lower net energy costs.

We sell all power to the local power grid, which has quite stringent rules for power plants delivering electricity. Having a quicker online time has made us more valuable in the eyes of the regional network operator.
Assistant Electric Superintendent Jeff Heverley and Supply Supervisor Jerry Howe from the Borough of Chambersburg

How we did it

Challenge

Need for reliable and quick start up of the plant on demand
Existing control system becoming obsolete
Tailoring smooth and seamless communication between existing and new control system

Solution

Upgrading the engine automation control to Wärtsilä UNIC C3 on 2 out of 4 engines, in two phases (2014 & 2016) - including tailormade WOIS and plant automation upgrade (2014) to maintain full plant communication

Benefit

Increased power plant reliability
Risk management and mitigating obsolescence issues
Getting online faster, generating revenue sooner

Questions? Contact us

The main details

Customer	The Borough of Chambersburg
Type	Wärtsilä 18V32DF flexible power plant
Where	Pennsylvania, USA
Total output	23 MW
Fuel	Dual fuel
Scope	Power plant upgrading automation system
Delivery	2014 - 2016