Wärtsilä smart power generation solution supports expansion of renewable energy in Arizona

Wärtsilä Corporation, Press release, 24 October 2017 at 4.15 p.m. EEST

The technology group Wärtsilä has signed a contract in Arizona, USA to provide smart power generation equipment for a new Natural Gas power plant with up to 200 megawatts (MW) of capacity.

Tucson Electric Power (TEP), a subsidiary of Fortis Inc., is building the plant on the site of an existing generating station that currently consists of both natural gas-fired and renewable energy assets. TEP selected a Wärtsilä smart power generation solution offering fast-start flexibility, which is well equipped to address intermittency and other challenges associated with an expanding renewable energy portfolio. TEP, which is working to deliver at least 30 percent of its power from renewable sources by 2030, booked the order with Wärtsilä in October 2017.

"As we add more solar and wind, we'll need a resource that will respond quickly and reliably to the variable production of renewable resources," said Conrad Spencer, director of the modernization project for TEP. "The latest generation of Wärtsilä natural gas-fueled engines take just a few minutes to start and reach full output, and they are more efficient than gas turbines."

The Wärtsilä engines will replace two of the existing plant's older steam generators, thereby improving the plant's overall efficiency. This will also reduce the plant's emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) by approximately 60 percent, equaling about 350 tons per year. Furthermore, the Wärtsilä engines require minimal amounts of water for cooling, which is an important consideration in Arizona's hot, dry climate.

"This plant will facilitate the integration of renewables into TEP's existing generation portfolio. Power from renewables is unavoidably intermittent, and by offering a resource that can respond rapidly to sudden losses, TEP will be able to reduce fuel costs, use less water, and reduce emissions," commented Jussi Heikkinen, Market Development Director at Wärtsilä North America Inc.

The scope of supply is for ten Wärtsilä 50SG gas-fueled engines, as well as engineering and commissioning services. Delivery of the equipment will commence in autumn 2018 and the plant will be built in two phases, with half the units coming online in mid-2019 and the remainder by early 2020.

Wärtsilä has a strong footprint and a proven track-record in the USA where its installed base, including projects under construction, exceeds 3000 MW.

For more information, please contact:

Mikael Backman
Regional Director, US & Canada
Wärtsilä Energy Solutions
Tel: +1 281-224-2920
mikael.backman@wartsila.com

Phil Rutkowski
Business Development Manager, USA & Canada
Wärtsilä Energy Solutions
Tel: +1 720 360 9444
phil.rutkowski@wartsila.com

Tyler Murphy
Marketing Manager, Americas
Wärtsilä Energy Solutions
Tel: +1 832 922 7197
tyler.murphy@wartsila.com  

Wärtsilä Energy Solutions in brief
Wärtsilä Energy Solutions is a leading global energy system integrator offering a broad range of environmentally sound solutions. Our offering includes ultra-flexible internal combustion engine based power plants, utility-scale solar PV power plants, energy storage & integration solutions, as well as LNG terminals and distribution systems. The flexible and efficient Wärtsilä solutions provide customers with superior value and enable a transition to a more sustainable and modern energy system. As of 2017, Wärtsilä has 65 GW of installed power plant capacity in 177 countries around the world.
www.smartpowergeneration.com

Wärtsilä in brief
Wärtsilä is a global leader in advanced technologies and complete lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. By emphasising sustainable innovation and total efficiency, Wärtsilä maximises the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers. In 2016, Wärtsilä's net sales totalled EUR 4.8 billion with approximately 18,000 employees. The company has operations in over 200 locations in more than 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
www.wartsila.com