Numerous industrial processes require heat (in form of hot water or steam), mostly produced from natural gas combustion. In the 1990s, the French electrical utility EDF offered power purchase contracts to operators for natural gas co-generation plants, supplying industrial sites with heat and exporting power to the local grid.
These power purchase contracts were signed for 12 years. For a minimal investment, it is possible to renew the contract in return for the upgrade of the equipment.
Enertime was contracted to provide a study for the redeployment of a 7 MWe gas turbine in a paper mill in Eastern France. The turbine belongs to an energy contractor that sells steam to the paper mill and electricity to EDF. The paper mill wants to run and operate the turbine by itself. This project was awarded to Enertime because of its technical expertise and independence from equipment suppliers and energy contractors.
The objectives of the study are to:
- audit the turbine status and determine the necessary investments for its re-deployment for at least ten years;
- recommend the best option to sell the power: new 12-year power selling contract with EDF, selling on the open market, self-consumption, or stand-by for peak power production;
- compare different investments scenarios, their risks and profitability.
With the results of this study, the paper mill will be able to make the most appropriate choice for its steam production. The mill is also considering implementing a biomass plant to supply steam.
