Wärtsilä gas engine power plant begins commercial operations bringing greater efficiency and flexibility to Mississippi electric coop

Wärtsilä Corporation, Trade Press release, 16 April 2020 at 2 pm EEST

A 22.7 MW flexible gas power plant delivered to Benndale, Mississippi, USA by the technology group Wärtsilä commenced commercial operations on 8 April, 2020, allowing electricity to be sold to the grid. The plant is owned by Cooperative Energy, a member owned electric cooperative, and was supplied by Wärtsilä on a full Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) contract. The new plant will provide flexible power generation for Cooperative Energy to extend their use of renewable energy in the future. It is also critical for reliability of the system due to the threat of hurricanes in the region.

The plant has two highly efficient Wärtsilä 31SG gas engines as prime movers. The diesel version of the Wärtsilä 31 has been recognised by Guinness World Records as being the world’s most efficient 4-stroke diesel engine. The gas-driven Wärtsilä 31SG can provide simple-cycle efficiency levels in excess of 50 percent, compared to approximately 40 percent with modern gas turbines. It also has the fast-starting flexibility to respond rapidly to continuously changing load patterns, which is necessary in systems with inherently intermittent solar and wind sourced energy.The partnership between Wärtsilä and Cooperative Energy will continue via a 10-year service agreement, covering maintenance of the engines and related auxiliary equipment. The Wärtsilä lifecycle solution also includes spare parts, asset diagnostics, and response time guarantees should an unplanned event arise. This allows Cooperative Energy to focus on its core business, secure in the knowledge that the plant is available to operate when needed, and that all covered equipment is maintained to ensure the required performance.

“As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, our mission is to provide our members with electricity that is both reliable and economical. The Wärtsilä engines provide efficiency that is far greater than any of our simple cycle units, while also adding flexibility to our generation fleet. We greatly appreciated the competence and support that Wärtsilä has provided throughout this project,” said Trey Cannon, Cooperative Energy’s Director of Generation Projects.

Toni Haarala, Project Manager at Wärtsilä, commented: “It is always exciting to see progress in action, and this next generation flexible power plant represents real energy sector progress in terms of efficiency and flexibility. We have enjoyed an excellent relationship with Cooperative Energy, and it’s rewarding to see this plant now in full commercial operation.”

The modular design of the Wärtsilä flexible engine power plant enables future expansion of the plant, should that be needed. Additional engines and auxiliaries could easily be added by extending the engine hall.

At the same time, as the world moves towards a 100 percent renewable energy future, flexible and fast-starting response is essential in order to balance the power system when wind and solar generation fluctuate. Wärtsilä engines can reach full output in a matter of minutes from the start signal making this technology complimentary to any system with high share of renewables.

Wärtsilä currently has an installed base of over 3,700 MW in the USA.

Image caption1: Wärtsilä gas engine power plant delivered to Cooperative Energy began commercial operations on 8 April 2020 bringing greater efficiency and flexibility to Mississippi electric cooperative. Image Wärtsilä.

Image caption2: New power plant in Benndale, USA, with two Wärtsilä 31SG engines as prime movers will provide flexible power generation as Cooperative Energy expands renewable energy in the future. Image Wärtsilä.

Read more:

Reference page: Benndale - Affordable, flexible and reliable power with a Wärtsilä 31SG plant
Press release: Cooperative Energy selects new Wärtsilä 31SG engine technology for power generation in the USA
Article in stakeholder magazine Twentyfour7: Wärtsilä 31SG - Providing power through rain or shine
Wärtsilä 31 engine family web page
Wärtsilä Lifecycle Solutions

For more information, please contact:

Dan Shelledy
Senior Business Development Manager
Wärtsilä Energy Business
Mob. +1 281 536 1444
dan.shelledy@warsila.com

Mirja-Maija Santala
Manager, Marketing & Communications
Wärtsilä Energy Business
Mob: +358 400 793 827
mirja-maija.santala@wartsila.com

Wärtsilä Energy Business in brief
Wärtsilä Energy Business leads the transition towards a 100% renewable energy future. We help our customers unlock the value of the energy transition by optimising their energy systems and future-proofing their assets. Our offering comprises flexible power plants, energy management systems, and storage, as well as lifecycle services that ensure increased efficiency and guaranteed performance. Wärtsilä has delivered 72 GW of power plant capacity in 180 countries around the world.
https://www.wartsila.com/energy/

Wärtsilä in brief
Wärtsilä is a global leader in smart technologies and complete lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. By emphasising sustainable innovation, total efficiency and data analytics, Wärtsilä maximises the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers. In 2019, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 5.2 billion with approximately 19,000 employees. The company has operations in over 200 locations in more than 80 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
https://www.wartsila.com/