Abstracts - VGB PowerTech Journal 6/2004

The New Pumped-storage Power Station at Goldisthal

R. Hassa and W. Bogenrieder

After a construction period of six years, the 1,060MW cavern-type plant of Vattenfall Europe at Goldisthal in the Free State of Thuringia is finally in the process of starting-up. With the last pump-turbine unit entering commercial operation by early 2004, Vattenfall Europe will operate the (in terms of capacity and power output) largest pumped-storage plant in Germany and, at the same time, one of the most modern power stations in Europe. An overview of the project, the legal approval procedures and the construction as well as start-up phases is given. First operation experience is stated.

Coal, Biomass and Wind - Experience on the Danish Electricity Market

H. Noppenau

Based on experience with Avedøre unit 2, 585 MW multifuel unit, and Nysted offshore 160 MW wind farm costs of production of electricity and CO2 removal is calculated. The market prices of fuel have been used for the calculation, and regarding the efficiency an expected yearly average has been used. It can be seen that power from existing coal fired power stations is by far the cheapest way of producing electricity.

Utilization of Biomass for Energy Generation in Germany

A. Wiese, E.C. von Hermanni, M. Drosch and W. Ortmanns

With a current contribution of 1.8 %, biogen substances only account for very little of the net energy consumption in Germany. This is mainly due to their low cost-effectiveness when compared to fossil fuel-fired electric power plants. Nowadays, direct combustion as well as biofuels and biogas production are considered well-established and proven conversion processes. To ensure the cost-effectiveness of future biomass projects compared to fossil fuels, it will be necessary to reduce biomass prices, for instance by improved cultivation methods, or to increase the prices for fossil fuels.

Decentralized Energy Supply by Fuel Cells and other Micro CHP Systems

H. Bergmann, F. Buschsieweke and M. Kramer

Fuel cells are regarded as a future-oriented energy conversion technology for stationary applications as well. This is proven by a continuously rising commitment on the part of developers and users. Although fuel cells ideally run on pure hydrogen, it is natural gas that generally paves the way for their market introduction as it is available almost everywhere at the present time. Before fuel cells turn out to be a serious alternative in economic terms as well, great efforts are still needed. This includes the development of new cell concepts and their automatic manufacturing in large quantities.

Innovative Natural Gas Applications in the Field of Co-generation: A Progress Report by the RWE Rhein Ruhr AG

Th. Theisen

In order to maintain a long-term market presence, it is necessary to utilise innovative and economic natural gas application technologies. It is of central importance that a constant development lead be upheld not only in existing markets, but also in that of cogeneration. For this reason, RWE Rhein Ruhr AG is initiating, in the present and in the future, development and demonstration projects, to support the future adoption of new business fields and the creation of competitive advantages. . Three example projects are presented from the field of combined heat/cooling generation, together with the concrete findings of the scientific and technical study conducted in the experiment hall at RWE Rhein-Ruhr in Duisburg-Hamborn.

Experiences in Testing Wind Energy Converters from the Viewpoint of an Acknowledged Measuring and Certification Institute

J. Bahr and N. Heining

Until 1995 wind energy converters (WEC) were mainly built at strong wind sites near the coast. Since then WEC have been adapted to and optimised for inland wind conditions. The WINDTEST Grevenbroich GmbH and its test site, situated northwest of Cologne in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), was founded for testing and optimising the behaviour of WEC in inland conditions. Today eight different prototype of WEC are installed on the test site and measurements according to national and international guidelines are performed.

The European Water Framework Directives - Implementation Impacts of Hydropower Plants

G. Schiller

The effects of EU water framework directives effects on the maintenance and new construction of hydropower plants in European Union are discussed. Also pointed out is the considerable threat that these directives pose in terms of their aims on the protection of water bodies for the use of hydropower, a renewable energy source. It depends on the type and extent of measures in national water rationing plans for the individual EU countries that determine how far the water framework directives and other EU guidelines support and enable hydropower. At this time, hydropower potential cannot be advanced further, and a reduction in this potential cannot be counted out.

The Use of Fuel Additives in Wood and Waste Wood-fired Boilers to Reduce Corrosion and Fouling Problems

Pamela Henderson, Ch. Andersson and H. Kassman

One of the major drawbacks to the implementation of 100% biomass in conventional power station boilers is the increase in the fouling and corrosion of superheaters. Rapid corrosion of superheaters leads to increased maintenance costs while fouling caused by widespread deposit formation gives rise to a decrease in efficiency of the turbine and an increase in unplanned outages. The effects of fuel additives to change the biofuel chemistry, thus making the fuel less problematic and reducing corrosion and fouling problems are discussed. Full-scale trials have been carried out.

Co- combustion of Clean Biomass in a 600 MWe Coal Fired Boiler

A. van Dijsseldonk, A. Korthout, Th. Krause and Th. Pistorius

The Kyoto-Protocol of December 1997 challenged the Dutch Electricity Companies to reduce their CO2 emission and resulted into a program to substitute 15% to 20% of the coal fuel used by clean (non-polluted) biomass fuels. Essent Energie B.V. has made the decision to co-combust 300,000 ton/year of clean biomass in their coal-fired unit Amer 9. As a result, the emission of CO2 will decrease with approximately 500,000 ton/year. Extensive testing and structural modifications of the existing systems were necessary to make the co-combustion of biomass in a coal-fired power plant unit technically feasible.

Transformator Sound

D. Bonmann

Transformers are one of the main sources of sound in substations. The sound generating mechanisms in transformers, their characteristic properties and how they depend on operating conditions are discussed. External sound attenuating measures are not discussed. The statistics of measured no-load sound levels of 500 different transformers that have been built in the past approx. 20 years shows that for a given rated power there is a broad range of scatter. Further discussed are deviations from rated voltage, harmonics in load current, especially in operation with rectifiers, and some minor effects.

Gasification of Solid Waste and Biomass

L.Ochrana, Z. Skála, P. Dvoák, J. Kubíek and J. Najser

The utilization of biomass and solid wastes in the Czech Republic is presented. It is focused on gasification in atmospheric fluidized bed. An experimental gasification plant installed at the Technical University of Brno is described. With an fuel consumption 15 to 40 kg/h, the plant has thermal output 100 kW and also includes a two-stage fuel gas cleaning line. Process risks based on personal experience are given. Results of research experiments and discussion including general conclusions are given.

Treatment of Sewage Sludge and the Residues Produced During its Incineration

M. Mineur

Developments in recent years have shown that the disposal of sewage sludge on landfill sites is no longer generally acceptable today, while its use in agriculture is increasingly exposed to criticism. All the more support is therefore being lent to the incineration of sewage sludge, for which lignite power stations and waste incineration plants are becoming increasingly available, alongside the classic mono-incineration plants for sewage sludge. The VERA incineration plant for sewage sludge has been in operation in Hamburg for nearly 6 years now.

The EU Framework Directive and its Potential Impact on Hydro Power in Europe

H. Schröfelbauer and O. Pirker:

The Water Framework Directive of the European Union, adopted in December 2000, provides a new regulatory framework for a harmonised water policy in Europe. The Directive sets clear goals, leaving no doubt about their ecological orientation, and establishes an extremely ambitious time schedule for its transposition into national law. There is a great deal of uncertainty about the future of water uses, above all for hydro power, despite the comprehensive ecological measures taken in recent decades. The essence and the objectives of the Water Framework Directive are described. It also outlines the areas in which adjustments will be required of the hydro-power sector.

Knowledge Management, Case Example Operation of Hydroelectric Power Plants

S. Demel and P. Neunhoeffer

With the beginning of the 21st century, industrial companies are confronted with a completely changed social and economical framework. Today the environmental and jurisdictional questions are the big challenges, where unconventional, innovative strategies are demanded. By means of the innovative solution of the VERBUND-Austrian Hydro Power AG, FORELLE, a network application of data bases which support the operators requirements, an unconventional approach to the subject knowledge management are shown. During several environmental audits in 2003 the functionality of FORELLE in practice was demonstrated in an impressive way.

Approaches to the Final Disposal of Radioactive Waste in the Federal Republic of Germany - Will Responsibility be Shifted to Future Generations?

B. Thomauske

The analysis presented shows that an operational repository for heat generating radioactive waste can be realised only by resumption of the underground exploration work at Gorleben and demonstration of the suitability of that site and subsequent construction of the repository. Acting responsibly means to build the Konrad repository speedily after completion of the legal proceedings about the license and, in this way, avoid the erection of additional interim storage facilities for waste with negligible heat generation.