The Role of Recip Engines in a Changing Powergen Landscape - Flexible, Decentral, Low Emission
(Room Garuda 9, 1st Floor)
20 Sep 18
9:30 AM
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11:00 AM
Tracks:
TRACK E - Distributed Energy Resources
The strongly growing need for more flexibility in a power system dominated by variable renewables is now widely recognized. Digitalization and the tremendous growth of datacenter capacities is driving for power security as well as supply growth. Decarbonization in general, and in the energy sector in specific, is an must to reach CO2 reduction targets. Decentralization and diversification as well as a shift from coal and diesel to Natural gas are further trends and needs. What is less well-known is that the system will require different types of flexibility to remain reliable and stable and, thus, will need several flexibility options. Engine power plants are a key solution thanks to their short reaction time and ability to quickly adapt to the load needed at any given moment. In combination with renewables - such as PV and wind - and storage (batteries), technologies offering close-to-zero must-run levels are of essential importance. Modular engine power plants, offer the most efficient flexibility to the system. Such micrigrids, operated off-grid or on-grid, will be a sustainable trend and need in all regions of the world. Gas engine based power plants are offering as well highest flexibility in heat utilization and therefore achieve highest possible overall efficiency and have a big CO2 reduction potential. Engine power plants are champions in technology when it comes to this behavior: excellent start-up capability, wide operating range, short reaction time, while minimizing unnecessary operations and emissions. R&D programs focus on improving and optimizing each core technology, as well as the interaction of several technologies.