Electrify Europe 2018

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Increased Flexibility of a Conventional Power Plant – A Contribution to Grid Stabilization and Secure Energy Supply (Room Lehar 2)

The political driven expansion of wind and solar energy in Germany has an significant impact on the electricity grid. Days with high wind or solar energy feed can be superseded abruptly from days to which only very little energy generated in this way can be provided. Other energy sources, such as biomass or still available nuclear energy cover less than 20% of the demand. The Production of electric power based on natural gas is on high cost pressures. Against this background, the coal fired power stations can and must ensure the security of energy supply and grid stabilization. Today, existing lignite fired power stations have been designed for a load range of 60 to 100% of rated power. At high feed-in of wind or solar energy it is desirable to lower the minimum technical load instead of shut down the plant. The Uniper lignite power plant at Schkopau, Germany plans to reduce the minimum technical load to 30% of nominal load. Operational tests were carried out for this purpose. The results of these tests and further optimizations shall lead to a safe and approved concept that allows the operation of the plant in low load ranges without the use of back up firing system while respecting the required emission values. Beside the presentation of test results, an overview of the preparatory work and measures before execution of low load tests will be given.