MAN Energy Solutions is building two combined heat and power plants in Chemnitz

MAN Energy Solutions has been commissioned to build two engine-powered combined heat and power (CHP) plants in the city of Chemnitz by the energy service provider eins energie in sachsen. The two plants, MHKW Nord and Altchemnitz, will be operated with seven and five MAN gas engines of type 20V35/44G TS respectively, each with an electrical output of 12.6 MW. The new CHP plants will supply the city with just under 150 MW of electricity and over 130 MW of thermal output.

As part of the service and maintenance contract that has also been signed, MAN Energy Solutions will initially assume responsibility for servicing the gas engines for a total of 40,000 operating hours. The service package also includes the remote monitoring solution PrimeServ Assist, which is based on the MAN CEON digital infrastructure and allows for the processing of quasi-real-time data.

“Following the commissioning of the new boiler system in July, the construction of the new power plants represents the next milestone in our project 'New heat for Chemnitz',” explains Roland Warner, Chairman of the Board of Management at eins. “With this project, we are reducing CO2 output to around 60 per cent – this corresponds to the emissions of around 260,000 passenger cars. We have decided on the use of gas engines for power generation and are consequently investing in the − from our perspective − most progressive and flexible thermal power plant technology, as this is also be the most environmentally friendly solution. In addition to conventional natural gas, the engines can also be powered with climate-friendly fuels such as biogas or synthetic gas. Looking ahead, it will therefore be possible to reduce emissions even further.”

“We are extremely happy and proud to be able to contribute to supplying Chemnitz with low-emission heat,” remarked Wilfried von Rath, Member of the Human Resources Management Board at MAN Energy Solutions. “Municipal enterprises such as eins are the backbone of the energy transition and public services in Germany, since they guarantee a safe and climate-friendly energy supply to millions of people. I'm really pleased that we were able to impress eins with regard to our technology and expertise as a partner in this project.” 

“In its role as general contractor, MAN Energy Solutions is responsible for the construction of the two power plants with a total of 12 gas engines,” adds Hajo Hoops, Senior Manager of the Power Plant division at MAN Energy Solutions. “These are among the most efficient engines worldwide. The high overall efficiency in the utilization of fuel, the modular design and flexible control system for the plants make a significant contribution to reducing the greenhouse gases that are emitted.”

The MHKW Nord plant is being constructed on the site of the previous lignite-powered Nord I power plant, which was demolished in 2004. The photovoltaic system that had been operated on the site since then has already been transferred to a new location. The second CHP plant will supplement the heating boiler system at the Altchemnitz heating plant, which is also powered by natural gas and was upgraded in July.

The new power plants are set to commence operations in 2022. The project will be implemented in two steps. Firstly, approvals for all the planned plants will be obtained. The final investment decision regarding implementation will then be made once these are present.

Municipal providers are counting on gas-engine power plants

MAN Energy Solutions is the leading provider of gas-engine power plants in Germany and has dedicated itself to the establishment of large-engine combined heat and power systems for many years now. In 2018, the company commissioned power plants in Stuttgart-Gaisburg and the town of Schwäbisch Hall. Additional plants with gas engines from the 35/44 series are being established in Frankfurt (Oder) and Jena.

“Municipal providers today are facing new challenges when it comes to modernizing their supply infrastructure,” explains Hoops. “In addition to the security of supply, climate compatibility is taking on increasing significance. Viewed from this perspective, only plants that can be powered in a climate-neutral fashion are truly future-proof. This is something that gas engines can accomplish. Furthermore, the power plants need to be able to assert themselves in an increasingly complex market, where flexibility is becoming more and more of a hard currency. Our gas engines can go from being idle to operating at full load in the space of three minutes, and can be shut down even faster. Hardly any other technology offers this level of flexibility.”