en.vision

Monitor, optimize, generate efficiency, and even savings

Home

A2A Power Generation

Central capacity market, Cassano d'Adda (MI)

Power Generation

Customer A2A

Where Cassano d'Adda (MI)

Solution Power generation

Sector Industrial | District heating | Multi-utility

        
          A2A has appointed CEFLA to build a power plant equipped with internal combustion engines, designed exclusively to cover peak electricity demand, which uses cutting-edge technologies to reduce emissions.

Strengths

Strategic project for the national electricity grid:

plant designed to provide reserve power to cover peaks in demand that cannot be met by intermittent renewable sources.

Modularity and quick start-up:

plant with 6 high-efficiency internal combustion engines with a total capacity of 110.6 MWe, designed to be up and running quickly.

Low emissions and high efficiency:

use of natural gas (the fossil fuel with the lowest impact) and abatement technologies such as the SCR system.

Key Numbers

110,6 MWe

Total electrical power

6 for 18,43 MWe each

Number of motors

Background

Italy is gradually increasing its production from renewable sources; their unpredictability, however, requires solutions to ensure continuity and stability for the grid. The new plant in Cassano d'Adda (MI) supplements the existing combined cycle power plant (CCGT) and is part of the capacity market measures, the national system for ensuring energy availability at critical times.

        
          The new plant was designed and built by CEFLA in a temporary consortium with Wärtsilä, a global leader in innovative technologies and life cycle solutions for the marine and energy markets.

Challenges

Complex operating environment
Installation in a partially disused industrial area, requiring the redevelopment of existing structures and the integration of new systems.

Integration with the national high-voltage grid
Design and construction of the 220 kV high-voltage connection, the most technically challenging part of the project.

Flexibility and reliability
Ensuring rapid engine start-up to meet the needs of the national electricity system in a very short time.

Project Tasks

Cefla was responsible for:

the design, procurement and construction (EPC) of the entire plant;

the electrical and mechanical service and interconnection systems;

the civil works, in collaboration with trusted partners;

the management of the temporary association of companies with Wärtsilä, supplier of the engines and SCR systems.

The following facilities were maintained and adapted: the control room, the existing substation, the gas delivery station, part of the process and fire-fighting networks.

Implementation

The new plant, one of the largest and most advanced in Italy for reserve power generation, ensures energy is ready for the grid on demand, strengthening national security and resilience. Built in a brownfield site, it consists of two soundproof modular buildings, each housing three Wärtsilä 50SG simple cycle internal combustion engines with SCR systems and tower chimneys (40 m). Several existing infrastructures have been adapted or reused, such as the control room, electrical substation and methane measurement plant; unsuitable networks and structures have been demolished or relocated.
The six engines (18.43 MWe each) form a new unit with a single 220 kV feed point on the high-voltage side of the step-up transformer, integrated with control, protection and MV switchboards, connected to the 6 kV busbar via a 15/6.3 kV oil-filled transformer. The auxiliary services are powered by dedicated transformers on the MV switchboard.
The plant is completed by two uninterruptible power supply systems (UPS and rectifier) for priority users and an emergency generator. New reduction lines for motor power supply have been installed near the methane station. The auxiliary systems are cooled by a new closed air circuit with air coolers located on the roof.