50MW DUAL-FUEL ENGINES FOR NAMPOWER’S ANIXAS POWER STATION IN NAMIBIA

Three MAN 18V51/60DF dual-fuel engines with alternators and auxiliary equipment were delivered to Nampower’s Anixas Power Station in Walvis Bay, Namibia, as part of the site’s expansion programme late last year.

A new power station has been built directly next to the existing facility, expanding the current generation capacity of 22.5 MW by an additional 50 MW.

The project is a joint venture between FK Namibia –represented by FK Generators and Equipment (International) – and the two Namibian firms, PHIM and August Twenty Six Construction.

This new power plant has been designed to enhance the Namibian power grid’s security of supply by introducing 50 MW of dispatchable generation capacity.

Furthermore, the new plant provides grid support to compensate for sudden losses of energy caused by the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources on the grid.

The MAN 51/60DF engines will initially run on liquid fuel. As soon as an appropriate gas infrastructure becomes available regionally, the dual-fuel engines can seamlessly switch to operation on low-emission natural gas, while maintaining the flexibility to operate on liquid fuels should the gas supply be interrupted.

This dual fuel engine converts diesel or natural gas efficiently, and can switch from one fuel to another without any fluctuations in speed or output.

*Engine speed: 500/514 rpm

*Frequency: 50/60 Hz

*Up to 20,700 kWm

The main advantage of dual fuel technology is fuel flexibility. This makes it possible to take advantage of the low cost and superior environmental benefits offered by gas.

If the supply of gas fuel is interrupted, the engine can continue operating using liquid fuel. In addition to natural gas, the dual fuel engines can also run on liquid biofuel or distillates like marine diesel oil (MDO), marine gas oil (MGO), crude oil and heavy fuel oil (HFO).

A company spokesman commented: “Dual fuel engines from MAN Energy Solutions are known for their reliability, efficiency, performance and the ability to switch between fuel sources. And if you already have one of our liquid fuel engines, it’s easy to upgrade to dual fuel capability to meet changing needs.”

MAN gas and dual fuel engines offer a clear path toward net zero. By using natural gas in comparison to coal, they immediately reduce CO2 emissions.

The ability to run on SNG or biofuels offers users independence from the price and supply fluctuations of the natural gas market.

At the same time, they have the highest electrical efficiency, are very dynamic and allow modular plant design.

Reciprocating engines have the highest electrical efficiency, are very dynamic (fast ramp up, ramp down, part load), and allow modular plant design with multiple units to optimize operation and thermal management.

MAN Energy’s gas and dual fuel engines are a future-proof investment in a low-carbon future, reports the manufacturer.

The energy challenge

The challenge is to provide the highest possible grid stability while maintaining adaptability to future regulations and market conditions.

The answer is in gas engine technology. Its ability to run on 100% biogas ensures independence from natural gas supplies.

Gas and dual fuel engines can lower the CO2 emissions of utilities and industrial plants using smart thermal management.

To create additional revenue streams, gas power plants can be operated as thermal balancing units in RES grids. www.man-es.com

Future-proof gas and dual fuel engines offer a clear path toward net zero.

Even today, CO2 emissions can be further reduced by using 100% SNG or 100% biofuels or by blending up to 25% hydrogen.

Carbon-neutral fuels such as methanol and carbon-free fuels like ammonia and 100% green hydrogen will also be usable in the future.

The use of alternative fuels such as SNG and biogas is now made even more relevant by rising prices and the falling availability of natural gas threatening security of supply.

To ensure the growing availability of alternative fuels, MAN Energy Solutions reports that it is ‘driving forward the power-to-X technologies for their production’.

NIXAS, the 22.5MW power station, is situated adjacent to the existing Paratus Power Station in Walvis Bay, will provide an emergency standby electrical capacity of 22.5 MW to Namibia.