Steam turbines and steam turbine operation – A topical issue
Hartmut Strangfeld
At the beginning of 2020 we were all confronted with an event unknown to us – a pandemic. With a heavy heart we decided to postpone the symposium “Steam turbines and steam turbine operation”, originally planned for 2020, to 2021.
But we had done the maths without the host. Even in 2021, the pandemic-related restrictions did not allow us to hold such an event in a secure manner.
However, the crash course we all took in the use and further development of online formats offered us the opportunity to try our hand at an online format for the symposium in 2021. And I think with success.
However, even though we will not want to and will not be able to permanently do without the digitalisation facilitations we have come to love in the spatial and temporal sense in the future.
Impact of varying boundary conditions on the development of future energy systems
Andreas Hanel, Sebastian Fendt and Hartmut Spliethoff
With increasing frequency, we are experiencing large-scale events that affect our energy supply. To identify possible future scenarios and transformation paths of our energy system, a large number of institutes are studying the German energy system in energy system models. . In this article, 40 such system studies are analyzed with a focus on the German power sector. In all scenarios, a strong expansion of renewable energies is assumed. The reason for this is in particular the advancing electrification and increasing application of power-to-X technologies. Nevertheless, conventional power plants are considered in most studies as important flexibility providers both during the transformation and in the long term. The largest differences within the studies are based on the representation of the heat, mobility and industry sectors. The influence of changing boundary conditions is examined, where in particular, societal acceptance and the level of ambition show a strong influence. In most cases, low ambition or societal resistance lead to an additional effort regarding the transformation of the energy system and thus to higher costs, which ultimately have to be paid by the general public. In particular, the expansion of wind power plants should be approached in close cooperation with the population in order to be able to meet the ambitious current expansion targets of the German government.
Control valve 4.0 concept. Control valve made simple
Achim Daume and Britta Daume
The authors’ many years of experience in the design and development of control valves and actuators and the associated goal of developing technically optimal solutions with optimised production have resulted in a new form of (control) valve, the control valve 4.0. For a better understanding and classification in the context, the control valve is described with its function and design features, as well as the factors, and then the control valve 4.0 is presented and briefly explained.
“Small mass, great effect” – Balancing as a method of optimizing the operation of steam turbines
Clemens Bueren
The operational balancing of steam turbines is a commonly used and long known method of improving the vibration amplitudes and running behavior. In addition to balancing the dismantled rotor in special balancing stands, operational balancing on the turbine is a necessary optimization measure. In practice, this usually involves achieving the agreed vibration limits after mechanical modifications such as overhaul work, or avoiding operating faults (protective shut-down). Good vibration behavior, with low amplitudes, also reduces wear and lifetime consumption of important plant components. However, not every vibration phenomenon can be eliminated by operational balancing, which is why a detailed analysis must be carried out before planning and executing the balancing. The quality of this analysis is a prerequisite for successful improvement of vibration and operational behavior. Qualified analyses are only possible with tested and suitable measuring equipment using the so-called order analysis with phase angle determination. In addition, high demands are placed on the corresponding specialists, since knowledge of measurement technology, rotor dynamics and steam turbine operation is a prerequisite for successful measures. Due to the many years of experience of Siempelkamp NIS this technical article describes the fundamental procedure.
Causes and effects of torsional vibrations on power plant turbine sets in the environment of changed grid conditions – First results
Matthias Humer and Andreas Wirsen
The vgbe research project entitled “Subsynchronous torsional interaction (SSTI) – Data analysis to determine interactions between (HVDC) converter and (turbine set) generator”, supervised by vgbe energy and financed by six partners (BASF, ENGIE, GKM, MVV, RWE and Uniper), involves a complex data analysis to determine interactions between inverters and electrical generators in several stages. The analysis and evaluation of the measuring chains and measuring equipment for measuring torsional vibrations at the turbine sets of the various power plants of the partners involved with regard to the measuring components used and the resulting phenomena provides the basic information for further investigations. By applying state-of-the-art time-frequency analysis methods, the provided measurement data are examined and finally compared with each other. In this paper, the first results of the project, which is not yet completed, are presented, and explained.
Cybersecurity concepts of Industry 4.0 for existing power plants
Karl Waedt, Josef Schindler, Ines Ben Zid and Egor Dronov
Applying the entire reference architecture model RAMI 4.0 to an existing plant would only be possible after extensive previous digitization steps, especially for systems that have been in operation for several years. However, selected approaches of the “German Standardization Roadmap Industry 4.0” Version 4 as well as concepts of Industry 4.0 can be quite helpful for existing systems, e.g. as part of a series of extensive modernization projects. Selected Industry 4.0 concepts are summarized in the following sections. The focus is on modeling the static part of the systems and implementing secure network communication with embedded components. In this context, “digital twin”-based approaches for existing systems from the technical domains of functional safety (safety), cybersecurity, preventive system maintenance, etc. are also helpful. IEC 63096 as a graded approach (in the sense of the “horizontal” Industry 4.0 standard IEC 62443) of ISO/IEC 27019 and ISO/IEC 27002 can be efficiently applied to KRITIS systems. IIoT specifically can gradually support the new ISO/IEC 2740x standards, especially along the supply chain.
Prospects for coal in agriculture
Ian Reid
The effects of climate change and industrial farming practices are impacting soil fertility, biodiversity, and food production in the agriculture sector amid rising demand due to population pressure. The United Nations (UN) has initiatives in place to understand and counter desertification and global decline in soil health, but the loss of fertile land may be accelerating. Fertilisers are critically important to world food production. Coal can be a feedstock for chemical fertiliser but has a new role as an alternative growing medium. Nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium (NPK) fertiliser dominates the market and the base chemical for nitrogen is ammonia. Lignite-based fertilisers are in development and gaining commercial success, especially with farmers who avoid applying NPK fertilisers. Coal ash products also have a role in agriculture. The study considers different solutions offered by coal and coal technologies, how they influence soil properties associated with erosion and desertification resistance, enhance carbon sink attributes and soil fertility.
World Energy Outlook 2022
Summary with special focus on electricity supply
Internationale Energieagentur (IEA)
With the world in the midst of the first global energy crisis – triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – the World Energy Outlook 2022 (WEO) provides indispensable analysis and insights on the implications of this profound and ongoing shock to energy systems across the globe. Based on the latest energy data and market developments, this year’s WEO explores key questions about the crisis: Will it be a setback for clean energy transitions or a catalyst for greater action? How might government responses shape energy markets? Which energy security risks lie ahead on the path to net zero emissions? The WEO is the energy world’s most authoritative source of analysis and projections.
Review vgbe Congress 2022
- vgbe Congress 2022, between security of supply and decarbonization
- Modern and streamlined concept, focused on strategic-technical issues
- Space for networking and professional discussions
- Antwerp, Belgium as host city
Editorial
Hartmut Strangfeld
Chair of the Technical Committee “Steam Turbines” at vgbe energy e.V.
Steam turbines and steam turbine operation – A topical issue
At the beginning of 2020 we were all confronted with an event unknown to us – a pandemic. With a heavy heart we decided to postpone the symposium “Steam turbines and steam turbine operation”, originally planned for 2020, to 2021.
But we had done the maths without the host. Even in 2021, the pandemic-related restrictions did not allow us to hold such an event in a secure manner.
However, the crash course we all took in the use and further development of online formats offered us the opportunity to try our hand at an online format for the symposium in 2021. And I think with success.
However, even though we will not want to and will not be able to permanently do without the digitalisation facilitations we have come to love in the spatial and temporal sense in the future.
An event like the Steam Turbine Conference lives not only from the technical content, but in a special way from the interpersonal contacts, from networking and the shared experience.
In this respect, it was particularly pleasing that the “Steam Turbines and Steam Turbine Operation 2022” symposium could take place as an attendance event in Cologne.
Approximately 260 participants attended the event, who were able to obtain information about products and services from 37 exhibitors at the trade exhibition.
Of course, the lectures at the symposium play a central role. Here the main topics were:
- Repair options and measures for steam turbines on steam turbines
- Numerical analyses and reverse engineering
- Retrofits and possibilities for plant optimisation
- Steam quality and analysis
- – Government regulations on the energy market (Grid Code, Energy Tax Act)
Since the symposium in June, the topic of government requirements on the energy market has once again taken on a new significance.
The ambitious climate protection goals that have been set are to be achieved through increasingly stringent implementation of the energy turnaround and decarbonisation by industry and society.
The actual implementation of the goals through the nuclear and coal phase-out, the expansion of renewable energies, energy storage and gas-fired generation as well as through the entry into the hydrogen economy would be challenge enough for all energy plant manufacturers and operators.
The nuclear phase-out and the implementation of the proposals of the Commission “Growth, Structural Change and Employment” on the coal phase-out into concrete legislation had already unfolded their corresponding effects on the industry, both for operators and for manufacturers and service providers.
In addition to the decisions to decommission power plants, various power plants were also kept on standby to ensure security of supply.
Since the beginning of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, security of supply has now taken on another, previously underestimated dimension.
Up to this point, the topic was discussed more in the technical framework between redispatch and system stability and was almost postulated as a given.
Now the fatal import dependency of the EU – and especially Germany – on natural gas, coal and crude oil has hit the collective consciousness, and with it the desire for self-sufficiency from Russian energy supplies.
Apart from questions such as how to deal with the Schwedt refinery and its importance for the fuel supply in north-eastern Germany, securing the gas supply is the greatest challenge for Germany and Europe.
Around 50 % of natural gas consumption in Germany was purchased from Russia in 2021. That is approx. 55 billion m3. This corresponded to the maximum transport capacity of Nord Stream I.
Work is feverishly underway to replace this with LNG, but the quantities required pose a challenge in any case. Whether it will be possible to build a complex chemical-processing infrastructure on a greenfield site (or rather in the Wadden Sea) in Germany within a very short time remains to be seen, given the approval and construction times for other projects. Four sites have now been selected and work is underway.
Building the energy system of the future based on electricity, heat and hydrogen from renewable generation in combination with energy storage and intelligent consumption remains a top priority.
In this context, the use of natural gas for power generation was and is intended to have an appropriate bridging function.
However, things sometimes develop differently than one thinks, and current events are shaking up this adjustment process.
In any case, politicians have recognised the point of secure generation. On 7 July 2022, the Deutscher Bundestag passed the Act on the Provision of Replacement Power Plants.
More and more power plant units are being brought back into continuous operation from the grid reserve.
Making a plant from the reserve fit for longer continuous operation and operating it in the shortest possible time would be a challenge even in times when there is no shortage of personnel or materials. Ingenuity and unconventional solutions are needed here.
There is certainly no shortage of topics for future joint work in vgbe energy e.V..