Energy

"In the event of a natural disaster such as an earthquake, these engines can switch fuels without a hiccup."

When deciding on the technology for Plains End I & II, the critical factors for Cogentrix were the ability to operate at peak efficiency in demanding ambient conditions (6150 feet (1845 m) above sea level, average temperature of 97°F (36°C)), and the capability to cope with sudden load swings created by wind power and the distinct wind patterns in the Rocky Mountains.

Portland General Electric Company (PGE) is an investor-owned utility (IOU) located in the Pacific Northwest, which provides electric service to industrial, commercial and residential customers in Portland, Oregon, and surrounding communities. Today, PGE serves more than 800,000 customers within their 4000-square-mile service territory comprising 52 Oregon cities. In 2009, PGE submitted an Integrated Resource Plan to the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) which stated the need for approximately 200 MW of flexible peaking capacity.

The new energy landscape of the 21-century calls for cleaner, more sustainable energy. Texas has responded to the challenge by installing more than 12 GW of wind power, more than any other US state. However, wind power is as unpredictable as it is green.

When the temperature drops to –40 degrees Celsius, blackouts are not an option. In order to secure a reliable energy supply and enable more renewable energy, Marquette Board of Light and Power (MBLP) in Michigan, USA, opted for Wärtsilä Smart Power Generation technology. As an added benefit, the ultra-flexible power plant provides a new source of income by following real-time electricity prices. The dual-fuel plant replaces old coal-fired capacity.

The Plant is located in Humboldt County near Eureka in northern California. PG&E selected Wärtsilä's technology in order to repower their existing Humboldt Bay plant. When compared to the existing 50 year old PG&E plant, the new facility will be 33% more efficient with 85% fewer ozone forming compounds and a 34% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions production.The plant was designed to meet the stringent air permitting requirements and California Energy Commission requirements in California.

The state of California is known for its amazing nature and climate. Being home to beautiful beaches, sandy deserts and redwood forests alike, it is hard to find a corner of the planet with comparable natural and climatic diversity. It’s certainly called the Golden State for a reason! But to keep it golden, its inhabitants and regulators are very aware that its fate cannot be left to chance. Climate change is a real threat, and biological degradation could pose a serious risk to an agricultural region that feeds well over 100 million people.

THE WIND ENABLER RETURNS TO TEXAS The Golden Spread Electric Cooperative debated different back-up power alternatives for addressing the challenges associated with their high proportion of intermittent wind-driven generating capacity. Agricultural irrigation with its heavily varying demand for electricity further increased the flexibility demands on the wind-following plant. The quick starts and high efficiency of Wärtsilä's technology provided an ideal fit.

Wärtsilä supplied a 116 MW gas power plant for the Canadian gold mining company Barrick Goldstrike Mines Inc.'s mine project in Nevada, USA. The plant, which is Wärtsilä's largest gas power plant to date for decentralized generation, was delivered to the customer as a turnkey contract. It was started up in October 2005.