ITALY’S MOST EFFICIENT THERMOELECTRIC POWER PLANT: THE ENERGY TRANSITION DRIVE

Marghera Levante is the latest-generation thermoelectric power plant to be comissioned in Italy and is now among the most efficient in the world.

Thanks to the GT36 turbine, it is able to reduce specific emissions of nitrogen oxides by up to 70% and carbon emissions by up to 30% compared to the current average of the Italian thermoelectric fleet.

The new turbine is also technologically ready for the use of hydrogen mixed with natural gas.

This 515-MW Class H turbine was supplied by Ansaldo Energia. The turbine has been designed to handle blends of up to 50% hydrogen and contains a 15-stage axial compressor with four variable guide vanes.

According to the manufacturer, the GT36 turbine released in late 2022 can be used for gas blends of up to 70%, and Ansaldo is now adaptiong the technology to allow it to handle 100% hydrogen as well.

As well as the GT36 turbine, the Marghera Levante power plant includes a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) with a catalytic system for the reduction of nitrogen-oxides (SCR) inside, and a 265-MW steam turbine (TVB).

Edison is the company behind the inauguration of Porto Marghera (VE), said to be of the most efficient thermoelectric power plants in Italy today.

This is widely regarded as an important milestone for the security of the Italian energy network, ensuring a highly flexible, low-carbon production which balances the intermittent nature of renewable sources. Ultimately this contributes Italy meeting the national decarbonisation targets set by the PNIEC.

The new Marghera plant is a revamped version of a thermoelectric power plant built in 1964. It has been constantly renewed in terms of technology, and in 1992 it became the first natural gas combined cycle in Italy.

Construction work took four years to complete, and the task involved up to 1,000 workers during peak times and 250 suppliers, for a total investment of around €400 million (around US$ 438,680,000).

The plant has an installed capacity of 780 MW and an energy efficiency of 63%, the highest output currently available, able to ensure a reduction of specific emissions of nitrogen-oxides (NOx mg/kWh) by up to 70% and of carbon emissions (CO2 mg/kWh) by up to 30%, compared to the current average of the Italian thermoelectric park.

This meets the equivalent annual energy needs of about 2,000,000 families.

The GT36 turbine built for Edison has been designed to power the Porto Marghera combined cycle plant, which is able to reach a total electrical power of 780 MW.

The project, including the Research and Development process, unfolded over seven years, with a total commitment of more than 3.7 million hours worked.

In total, the turbine weighs 520 tons, as much as 400 cars. It is almost 13.5 metres long - as high as a large coach bus. Placed vertically it would be as high as a four-storey building.

“We do not hide our pride in the result achieved. For this we also thank our majority shareholder, CDP, who has believed in this project,” commented Giuseppe Marino, CEO of Ansaldo Energia, in 2020.

“All the work for the construction of this turbine took place in a difficult period of time, due to the limitations imposed by Covid. In conditions of maximum safety Ansaldo Energia staff worked tirelessly to guarantee that the Edison turbine could be delivered in due time. Thanks to its innovative technology, high efficiency combined with high operational flexibility, this machine represents our best business card - a front player in Italy’s energy transition.” www.ansaldoenergia.com

Ansaldo Energia is a power engineering company which produces thermoelectric power plants and power equipment such as gas and steam turbines, generators, and microturbines The company operates in international markets for customers ranging from local government to independent power producers and industrial clients.

Ansaldo Energia covers the entire power generation spectrum with a combination of plant engineering, manufacturing and service activities.

The company also provides parts supply, parts inventory management, repair, engineering assessments, remote monitoring services, and more.