Maintenance and plant optimisation in times of change
Christopher Weßelmann
As the world shifts towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources, energy plant technologies are evolving rapidly. New energy plants, such as wind, solar, geothermal, and tidal installations, are playing a vital role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and ensuring a greener future. Additionally, new energy technologies e.g. for storage and transport are developed to market readiness. To maximise the efficiency and longevity of these energy plants, it is essential to prioritise maintenance and optimise their operations. This editorial explores the significance of maintenance and optimised operation for new energy plants, highlighting the benefits and strategies involved.
Maximizing performance through proactive maintenance: Regular maintenance is crucial to ensuring the reliable and efficient operation of new energy plants. Proactive maintenance practices, including preventive and predictive maintenance, can help identify and resolve potential issues before they escalate. By conducting routine inspections, monitoring equipment performance, and implementing proactive maintenance measures, power plant operators can minimise downtime, increase productivity, and extend the lifespan of their assets.
Technology coupling as the basis of innovations for the renewable energy sector
Ralf Malessa
Major changes in technological or market policy framework conditions usually lead to an early recognition of important future technology areas through an increase in the number of applications for industrial property rights. While in recent years the international filing figures in the field of renewable energies with a focus on climate protection technologies indicated an exponentially growing market potential, the German market in particular seemed to be decoupled from this development. Despite the importance of this segment, according to this data, only a few national drivers can be found, which, compared to other technology nations, co-determine important sub-segments. In principle, opportunities for strengthening the industrial property competition situation in the future may arise, especially for German applicants, by directing technical property rights to more complex subject matter involving the interaction of different technology areas, such as the interaction between wind power and electrolysis.
Sensitive high-temperature storage up to 1200 °C with externally heated gas turbine process – Development and simulation of a novel Carnot battery for decentralized sector coupling
Felix Holy, Alexej Paul, Michel Textor, Stefan Lechner, Nils Metka and Falco Krell
Due to the expansion of renewable energies, there is an increasing demand for decentralized storage technologies that ensure secure and stable grid operation. In recent years, the term Carnot battery (CB) has become established in the context of innovative storage technologies. Carnot batteries are fundamentally characterized by the ability to inject and withdraw electricity and to store it temporarily in the form of heat at different temperature levels. The high-temperature storage (HTS) considered here converts electricity into heat by means of integrated resistance heating elements and stores this heat in ceramic solids at a temperature level of > 1000°C. When electricity and heat are required, the sensible heat is transferred to an air stream, which drives a regeneration unit based on the principle of combined heat and power (CHP). Based on an initial system, an HTS with greater storage capacity, optimized internal heat transfers and lower heat losses to the environment is being developed for the follow-up project EnEff:Stadt FlexQuartier Gießen
Energy and cost savings options in gas-turbine operation
Dinesh Bhatia and Dipti Datta
Reducing fuel consumption, noise, vibration, emissions & carbon footprint, and improving the general human condition on the facility is a goal desired by any administration. While systems designed 30-40 years ago were not too focused on fuel efficiency and noise reduction, the current economy and environmental regulations make it imperative that these factors must be reconsidered while operating of these old designs. Efficiency improvement through gas-turbine design improvement is the most area of focus and has received a lot of attention. One area that is often overlooked is the intake and exhaust system designs for these gas-turbine systems. The current paper discusses the sources of energy/pressure loss in most traditional gas-turbine intake and exhaust designs and how these can be improved by providing examples of designs used here at M&I. We also discuss the importance of the OpEx cost consideration when selecting design and suppliers of gas-turbine intake and exhaust systems.
Growing trends in decarbonization may fall victim to greenwashing
Mathias Lelievre
Growing decarbonization trends by companies and governments are an encouraging sign, but they may also be subject to accusations of greenwashing. Greenwashing refers to the misinformation, disregard, or inefficiency regarding decarbonization that is portrayed to the public as more effective than it actually is. This can lead to customers receiving misleading information and choosing products or services that are harmful to the environment. Two areas that are often suspected of greenwashing are compliance and reporting, and contracts with third-party vendors. However, companies should strive to comply with their CSR reporting and CBAM requirements, as well as optimize their third-party contracts, to minimize the risk of greenwashing and successfully implement decarbonization.
Achieving 100% ash utilisation at coal fired power plants in India
Lesley Sloss, Sanjeev Kumar Kanchan, Wojciech Jozewicz and Paul Baruya
The status of ash management and its use at coal-fired power plants in India is reviewed. The Indian government has set a goal of 100% ash use throughout India by 2024. Some States are achieving this and more, through the additional recovery of older ash pond stockpiles, but others have regional issues to address. For many plants, the challenge is finding industrial partners to take and use the fly ash at, or above, the rate of production (the latter being required to remediate stockpiles). The ash use directives have evolved to require coal power plants to deliver ash free-of-charge to end-users within a radius of up to 300 km. There is potential to sell ash for high-value end uses. Achieving the goal of 100% utilisation of power station by-products, will require India to increase the focus on the challenge of legacy ash piles, which can pose a significant risk to human health. Many of these ashes may be unsaleable. It will also be prudent for utilities to plan to establish markets for the gypsum that will arise from the flue gas desulphurisation processes required across much of the coal power fleet. There is potential for India to use all this additional material profitably if the market is prepared.
The European electricity industry’s new Presidency presents its vision for Europe’s clean energy independence
Eurelectric: Leonhard Birnbaum, Markus Rauramo and Georgios Stassis
Leonhard Birnbaum – CEO of E.ON – has taken the reins of Eurelectric, the trade body representing the European electricity industry in Brussels. Joined by Vice Presidents Markus Rauramo – CEO of Fortum – and Georgios Stassis – CEO of PPC –, the new Presidency makes a strong call to put in place the necessary enablers for a radical ramp up of electrification at a time when Europe needs to accelerate its decarbonisation and ensure its energy sovereignty. Strengthening electricity grids, rethinking Europe’s security of supply, and ensuring proper investment conditions will be their three key priorities: Strengthening security of supply through large-scale electrification, Driving the expansion and digitalisation of electricity grids, Fostering a fair distribution of risks and benefits
Future developments in midstream natural gas investment: Focus on Asia Pacific
Galia Fazeliyanova
Continuing underinvestment or investment ‘gap’ in natural gas supply is one of the key drivers of the ongoing global energy crisis. It is the single largest risk to global energy security in the future. The upcoming 2023-2030 decade is considered a ‘golden age’ for liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure deployment and investment. Therefore, timely execution and fast-track project development for LNG liquefaction and LNG regasification projects will be crucial for seizing the opportunity. After 2030, different regions worldwide may adopt diverging paths toward energy transition. Asia Pacific will keep moving towards a cleaner energy mix while balancing its economic and environmental priorities. Its’ expanding reliance on natural gas imports is a far-reaching opportunity as well as a challenge.
Energy consumption in Germany in 2022 – Electricity industry
Domestic energy production increased for all other energy sources in 2022, with the exception of oil, natural gas and other energy sources, resulting in an overall increase of about 2.2% to 3,647 PJ or 124.4 million tce. The electricity sector in 2022 was affected by the overall weakening economy and milder weather, but above all by the consequences of the Ukraine war, which were reflected in drastically rising energy prices on the wholesale markets and among end consumers. Electricity consumption (gross domestic electricity consumption) decreased by 3.4 % to 549.2 billion kWh. Accordingly, electricity generation (gross electricity generation) also recorded a minus of 1.7 % and Germany’s electricity exchange surplus rose by 9.5 billion kWh to 28.1 billion kWh.
Editorial
Christopher Weßelmann
Editor in Chief vgbe energy
Maintenance and plant optimisation in times of change
Dear Ladies, dear Gentlemen,
As the world shifts towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources, energy plant technologies are evolving rapidly. New energy plants, such as wind, solar, geothermal, and tidal installations, are playing a vital role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and ensuring a greener future. Additionally, new energy technologies e.g. for storage and transport are developed to market readiness. To maximise the efficiency and longevity of these energy plants, it is essential to prioritise maintenance and optimise their operations. This editorial explores the significance of maintenance and optimised operation for new energy plants, highlighting the benefits and strategies involved.
Maximizing performance through proactive maintenance: Regular maintenance is crucial to ensuring the reliable and efficient operation of new energy plants. Proactive maintenance practices, including preventive and predictive maintenance, can help identify and resolve potential issues before they escalate. By conducting routine inspections, monitoring equipment performance, and implementing proactive maintenance measures, power plant operators can minimise downtime, increase productivity, and extend the lifespan of their assets.
Harnessing data and analytics for condition monitoring: New energy plants generate vast amounts of operational data, which can be harnessed to optimise their performance. Implementing advanced data analytics and condition monitoring techniques allows operators to gain real-time insights into the health of their equipment. By utilizing technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT) sensors, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning (ML), operators can detect anomalies, predict failures, and schedule maintenance activities more efficiently. This data-driven approach enables proactive decision-making and ensures optimal power plant operation.
Prioritizing safety and compliance: Safety is a top priority in energy plant operations, and it becomes even more critical when dealing with new energy sources. Proper maintenance and optimised operations contribute to a safer working environment by minimizing potential hazards. Regular inspections, safety audits, and adherence to industry regulations and standards are essential for the well-being of personnel and the surrounding ecosystem. Additionally, maintenance activities should align with environmental regulations, ensuring that power plants operate in a sustainable and responsible manner.
Enhancing efficiency and energy output: Maintenance and optimised operation strategies directly impact the efficiency and energy output of new energy power plants. Effective maintenance practices, such as cleaning solar panels, aligning wind turbines, or optimizing geothermal well performance, can enhance the plant’s overall efficiency and output. By addressing inefficiencies, resolving equipment issues promptly, and fine-tuning operational parameters, operators can optimise power generation and improve the financial viability of the plant.
Collaborative partnerships and knowledge sharing: Maintaining and optimizing new energy plants require expertise and collaboration from various stakeholders. Power plant operators, technology providers, and maintenance specialists should establish strong partnerships to ensure access to the latest technologies, best practices, and training. Knowledge sharing through industry conferences, forums, and research collaborations facilitates continuous learning and innovation in power plant maintenance and operations. vgbe energy deals with all these issues and supports its members worldwide. The new working structure of the association, which is currently being implemented, will provide efficient and flexible support to members and all energy technologies.
Maintenance and optimised operation are essential for maximizing the performance, efficiency, and longevity of energy plants. By adopting proactive maintenance practices, harnessing data and analytics, prioritizing safety and compliance, enhancing efficiency, and fostering collaborative partnerships, power plant operators can drive the growth of clean and sustainable energy sources. With ongoing advancements in technology and a collective commitment to excellence, we can ensure that new energy power plants continue to play a pivotal role in shaping a greener and more sustainable future.