Balance for the energy transition
For the world to advance on the path to net zero, renewable energy sources (RES) must be integrated into power grids. However, the growing share of non-dispatchable RES in power grids poses challenges for power producers. Fluctuations in supply make it difficult to provide reliable power. To ensure grid stability, the energy industry needs decentralized balancing solutions that can provide rapid responses to changes in load and supply. Achieving this balance is essential for a sustainable energy future.
Balancing plants with green engines
Green engine power plants offer an ideal long-term solution for balancing out fluctuations in electricity demand and supply. Fast start-up times, superior efficiency, even at partial and low loads, and reliable and flexible operation make MAN engines a highly valuable asset in the energy system. The high power density of our engines enables compact plant designs and optimized investment. And, of course, they comply with current emission regulations. But what about the future? Our green engines can be converted to future fuels, preparing you for the transition to carbon-neutral fuels.
Green engines & turbines in RES grids
Combined cycle power plants have had a strong position in the baseload market for decades. Over the next 5-10 years, however, renewables will become the dominant source of baseload power. The new energy systems will need to quickly and efficiently compensate for fluctuations in power generation. Highly flexible internal combustion engines are the perfect answer to these changing requirements and to ensuring grid stability. With start-up times of less than 3 minutes and a wide operating range from 100% down to 10%, our engines will reliably stabilize and balance your grid. Other technologies, such as turbines, cannot match our green engines in this respect.
Green engines & batteries in RES grids
Batteries can be used to provide stabilisation when there is no sun or wind. However, batteries can only provide energy for a limited time - typically 4-8 hours - and then need to be recharged. Internal combustion engines do not have this limitation - and if they run on green fuels, such as green hydrogen, they produce no CO2 while generating electricity. The combination of engines and batteries is often a very attractive solution for grid stability.
The MAN green engine range
MAN gas and dual fuel engines are ideal for balancing RES and put you on the glide path to CO2 neutral emissions with green future fuels such as e-methane, green hydrogen and e-ammonia
The MAN 35/44G and MAN 51/60G gas engines can be operated with up to 25% hydrogen in the gas mixture. They can already replace natural gas with biogas or e-methane, and all MAN dual-fuel engines can also run on liquid biofuels.
The new MAN 49/60 engine family (available as gas and dual fuel engines) offers you full fuel flexibility combined with maximum efficiency, minimum emissions and state-of-the-art dynamic behavior. And in future it will even be possible to run on carbon-free fuels such as hydrogen. It is the full package and has everything it takes to meet the demands of the balancing market perfectly.
MAN 35/44G
This compact engine delivers ultimate performance and top efficiency with low emissions – and is also available with two-stage turbocharging.
- Engine speed: 720/750 rpm
- Frequency: 60/50 Hz
- Up to 12,800 kWm
MAN 49/60DF
The MAN 49/60DF is benefitting from the excellent robustness and reliability of its predecessors. It comes with higher cylinder output, lower emissions and higher efficiency.
- Engine speed: 600 rpm
- Frequency: 50/60 Hz
- Up to 26,000 kWm
MAN 51/60G
With best-in-class power output and low emissions, the MAN 51/60G is setting new standards for gas engines. It is also available with two-stage turbocharging for superior performance.
- Engine speed: 500/514 rpm
- Frequency: 50/60 Hz
- Up to 20,700 kWm
Key benefits
Energy transition scenario
Energy markets need stable power grids. As soon as RES takes over the baseload you need flexible and efficient balancing technologies. In the graphic below we see a long-term scenario in which engines provide economic and flexible balancing – here with a share in generation of 31% and fueled by hydrogen. Batteries and gas turbines can only participate with a lower share.
Fluctuating energy market scenario
Energy markets are becoming more volatile. Prices are highest when only low levels of wind and solar power are available. Highly flexible green engines are an ideal way to provide balancing power during these times. Despite usually having a higher initial investment cost than gas turbines, operators benefit from lower operational cost due to the better efficiency of these engines. Here, the financial benefit increases with transition to more expensive green fuels. Furthermore, the fast response time of engines allows for participation in real-time electricity markets, providing the opportunity for higher revenues than turbines.
Balance your RES grid
By smoothing power fluctuations and providing system flexibility, our engines enable the integration of RES into the grid. High levels of renewable energy combined with highly fuel-efficient green engines ensure maximum CO2 reduction.
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MAN peak-load and balancing solutionspdf, 1020 KB
The growing share of non-dispatchable renewable energy sources (RES) in power grids makes it difficult for power producers to provide stable and reliable base power. Responsive, flexible, and highly efficient balancing power solutions are needed to match the variations in supply and demand. MAN peak-load solutions are ideal for applications that require frequent ramping up and down or cycling in response to changes in demand and load.