OREANDA-NEWS. GE’s Distributed Power business (NYSE: GE) today announced that a 190-megawatt (MW) natural gas cogeneration plant being developed by municipal utility Stadtwerke Kiel in northern Germany has received a COGEN Europe 2016 Recognition Award for Market Development. The projected power plant will be powered by 20 of GE’s 9.5-MW Jenbacher J920 FleXtra gas engines, GE’s most powerful gas engine in its reciprocating engine portfolio.

The award was announced during the POWER-GEN Europe exhibition and conference in Milan. Andreas Halberschmidt, commercial project manager, Stadtwerke Kiel AG, accepted the award on behalf of Stadtwerke Kiel. POWER-GEN Europe hosts a comprehensive world-class conference program with an established legacy. This premier conference hosts leading organizations and high-level influencers at one of the most prestigious events in the power generation industry.

“We are extremely proud that COGEN Europe has recognized Stadtwerke Kiel’s cogeneration project, which will be powered by our most powerful Jenbacher gas engine model, the J920 FleXtra,” said Carlos Lange, president of GE’s Distributed Power business. “The Kiel project is one of several important cogeneration projects in Europe illustrating how our J920 FleXtra technology can support the challenges of the global energy supply.”

Expected to be available in October 2018, the new cogeneration plant will replace an existing older coal-fired power plant and supply the region with 190 MW of electric power and 192 MW of thermal power for the local district heating network. The new power plant’s total efficiency will be greater than 90 percent, and its electrical efficiency will be 45 percent.

As a nationwide unique project, the new cogeneration plant being developed already is considered a model, setting new flexibility, efficiency and environmental sustainability standards under Germany’s “Energiewende” transition to cleaner energy sources, including renewables and more efficient natural gas cogeneration systems.

The Stadtwerke Kiel project is divided into two phases. The initial project involves the planning and construction of the pump house to connect to the district heating system, the electrode boiler and heat storage as well as scheduling and obtaining operating approval for the entire system, including gas engines. The second phase of the project, including construction of the gas engine power plant, depends on the notification of the cogeneration law by the E.U. Commission in Brussels.

The 20 Jenbacher J920 FleXtra gas engines forming the heart of the plant will provide a great contribution to grid stability. The operating flexibility of the modular power plant enables it to provide balancing power, while the integration of an electrode boiler (power-to-heat) used during periods of surplus of electricity from renewables provides an extremely flexible and economical solution. This ensures not only the regional energy supply, but also guarantees operational cost-effectiveness. Compared with the previous coal-fired power plant, annual carbon dioxide emissions are expected to be reduced from 1.8 million tons to approximately 540,000 tons.

About GE’s Distributed Power business

GE’s Distributed Power business is a leading provider of engines, power equipment and services focused on power generation and gas compression at or near the point of use. Distributed Power offers a diverse product portfolio that includes highly efficient, fuel-flexible, industrial gas engines generating 200 kW to 10 MW each of power for numerous industries globally. In addition, the business provides life cycle support for more than 36,000 gas engines worldwide to help you meet your business challenges and success metrics—anywhere and anytime. Backed by our authorized service providers in more than 170 countries, GE‘s global service network connects with you locally for rapid response to your service needs. GE’s Distributed Power business is headquartered in Jenbach, Austria.

About GE Power

GE Power is a world leader in power generation with deep domain expertise to help customers deliver electricity from a wide spectrum of fuel sources. We are transforming the electricity industry with the digital power plant, the world’s largest and most efficient gas turbine, full balance of plant, upgrade and service solutions as well as our data-leveraging software. Our innovative technologies and digital offerings help make power more affordable, reliable, accessible and sustainable.