SHOWCASE GERMANY Experiences with flexibilisation of Germany s conventional power plants Role of Biomass. Dr. Claudia Weise, November 1, 2017, Berlin

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1 SHOWCASE GERMANY Experiences with flexibilisation of Germany s conventional power plants Role of Biomass Dr. Claudia Weise, November 1, 2017, Berlin

2 Agenda 1. Role of conventional power generation in Germany 2. Experiences in flexible power plant operation 3. Role of biomass 4. Conclusion 2 VGB PowerTech e.v. FOLIE 2

3 1. German power generation in 2016 Installed net capacity: Gross power production: 210 GW (thereof 104 GW RES) 648 TWh (consumption 593 TWh): Fuel Gas 12,1% Fuel Oil 0,9% Waste 3.6% Lignite 23,1% Renewables 29,5% Biomass 27.9% Wind 34.2% Others 4,3% Solar 20.5% Hydro 13.9% Nuclear 13,1% Hard Coal 17,0% Source: AG Energiebilanzen Renewables have outscored lignite as No.1 electricity generation source. More than 50 % of RES comes from volatile sources. Gas has increased by 25 % from Installed capacity has grown by 50 % since VGB PowerTech e.v. FOLIE 3

4 1. Utilization of thermal power plants January 2017 Installed net capacity: Hard coal: 28 GW Lignite: 21 GW Gas: 30 GW Maximum load band Jan 17: Hard coal: 6 to 25 GW Lignite: 8 to 18 GW Gas: 8 to 15 GW Lignite plants typically go into part load at low demand or little residual load (even on weekends), whereas hard coal plants shut down (over night, weekend) with some minor exceptions in very low load mode. CCGT plants are either CHP / cycling. 4 VGB PowerTech e.v. FOLIE 4

5 2. Flexible power plant operation Flexible needs to ensure Low minimum load Short start-up times High ramp rates Flexible operation has an impact on all aspects of power plant operation new technologies, adopted O&M-procedures and skilled personnel. A high level of automation with advanced control is key for any efforts towards flexibilization. 5 VGB PowerTech e.v. FOLIE 5

6 2. Example 1/3: Lignite power plant Neurath I&C optimization at unit D Ramp-rate and minimum load Source pictures: Wikipedia, Fotolia 630-MW-unit was commissioned in 1975 Reduction of minimum load from 400 MW to 270 MW 43 % Increase of ramp rate from 5 MW/min to 15 MW/min Increase of secondary reserve capability to 70 MW in 15 min Reference: RWE 6 VGB PowerTech e.v. FOLIE 6

7 2. Example 2/3: Lignite power plant Jänschwalde Dry lignite system & innovative burners Start-up, ramp rate and min. load Source pictures: Vattenfall/BBS Replacement of 8 oil burners with dry lignite burners using plasma induced electrical ignition in operation since November 2014 significant reduction of start-up costs as well as lower minimum load (appr. 90 MW instead of 180 MW unit size: 500 MW) Reference: Vattenfall/Leag 7 VGB PowerTech e.v. FOLIE 7

8 2. Example 3/3: Hard coal power plant Heilbronn One-mill operation at unit 7 Low minimum load Replacement of four mills to realize higher capacities modification of outlet ducts and primary air adjustments By introduction one-mill operation, minimum stable firing capacity could be reduced down to 15% of the nominal capacity (800 MW) Operation with one mill at the highest burner level is more stable than the operation with two mills additional flame scanners necessary Reference: EnBW/Alstom 8 VGB PowerTech e.v. FOLIE 8

9 2. Flexibility parameters of thermal power plants Plant type Hard-coal Lignite CCGT Gas Turbine Load gradient [% / min] in the load range [%] 2 / 4 / 8 2 / 4 / 8 4 / 8 / 12 8 / 12 / to to 90 40* to 90 40* to 90 Minimum load [%] 40 / 25 / / 40 / / 40 / 30* 50 / 40 / 20* Ramp-up time Hot start <8 h [h] Ramp-up time Cold start >48 h [h] 3 / 2 / 1 6 / 4 / / 1 / 0,5 < / 4 / 2 8 / 6 / 3 3 / 2 / 1 < 0.1 Source: VDE and own studies usual value / state of the art / potential *as per emission limits for NOx and CO Thermal power plants are able to significantly contribute to a modern energy system. Technology development is focused on realising the flexibility potentials. 9 VGB PowerTech e.v. FOLIE 9

10 3. Role of solid biomass Current situation in Germany GWh electricity produced from solid biomass in 2015 Power plants are limited to 20 MW installed capacity according to EEG The majority of biomass is utilised in grate firing systems and fluidised bed combustion Co-firing is not applied due to the absence of incentives Flexibilisation options Co-firing of up to 10% biomass in existing pulverised coal fired power plants with only minor adaptations Conversion of existing pulverised coal fired power plants to 100% biomass; e.g. Rodenhuize Power Plant (BE), AvedørePower Station (DK) Flexibilisation of biomass combustion is possible by utilisation of pulverised fuel combustion technology. The technical flexibility potentials are comparable to coal combustion. 11 VGB PowerTech e.v. FOLIE 11

11 3. Role of biogas Current situation in Germany GWh electricity produced in Germany from biogas in 2015 The majority of biogas is utilised in gas engines (ᴓ 450kW); single gas engines are combined to a virtual power plant that can be operated flexible A minor share of the biogas plants is upgrading biogas to biomethane and feeding it into the natural gas grid Flexibilisation options Feeding biogas it into the gas grid decouples gas production and electricity production temporally and spatially alternatively gas storages Biomethane could be even used in CCGT applications Further flexibilisation of biogas plants is possible. Flexible electricity production from biogas can be done by virtual power plants or by using biomethane in CCGT installations. For the CCGT option, the critical point is the 20 MW limitation in the renewable energy act. 12 VGB PowerTech e.v. FOLIE 12

12 4. Conclusions Flexible operation is daily business for Germany s conventional power plants, high level of automation is essential no flexibilization without automation. Implementation of flexibility measures should go hand in hand with training programs for the power plant personnel and adopted O&M procedures. Biomass technologies are very mature the role in the energy mix is closely related to the market conditions. Flexible power plant operation implies many challenges: technically and organizationally. A holistic approach is needed to address the complex tasks and requirements. 13 VGB PowerTech e.v. FOLIE 13

13 Thank you for your interest! Contact: Dr. Claudia Weise Project Manager Deilbachtal Essen / Germany Phone: Mobile: claudia.weise@vgb.org VGB PowerTech e.v. FOLIE 14