Another milestone for Kiel

As well as multiple gas engines, the new coastal combined heat and power plant employs heat (hot water) storage in a 60 m high tank (30 000 m3 storage volume) and a 35 MW electrode boiler (providing power- to-heat capability), establishing a new benchmark in terms of flexibility, efficiency and sustainability.

The new CHP plant, boasting an overall efficiency of 91%, will supply over 73 000 households and facilities in Kiel with district heating, as well as feeding power into Kiel’s 110 kV grid, which serves the state capital and some of the surrounding municipalities. Any excess power will be passed on to the wider grid.

“Every one of the 20 gas engines ramps up to full load in less than five minutes. That allows us to react to changing grid situations at any time”, said Dr Jörg Teupen, director of technology, Stadtwerke Kiel.

The output of the new gas-fired cogeneration facility will replace the electricity and heat previously generated by a coal fired power plant on the Kieler Förde, which has been in operation since 1970 – resulting in a 70% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. 

“In the coastal city of Kiel, renewable energy production ranges from storm to calm,” said Carlos Lange, president of GE’s distributed power business. “These significant fluctuations require supplementary generation that can start quickly and reliably when required—such as the new K.I.E.L. coastal power plant.”

The gas engine (piston) powered plant is being engineered and implemented by KAM and GE. GE is providing the engines, while KAM is the general contractor responsible for engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of the turnkey facility, including the auxiliary buildings and integrating the heat storage and electrode boiler.

The new plant is expected to start operation in the first quarter of 2019.