In May 2005, R. L. Turner Corporation of Indiana, USA, signed a contract with Wärtsilä for the purchase of an 8.4‑megawatt plant. The order, valued at approx. 4.4 million US dollars, consists of one Wärtsilä 20V34SG natural gas fuel engine. R. L. Turner will be responsible for installation of the equipment and other modifications of the Rensselaer Power Plant.
The plant, which will be located in Rensselaer, Indiana, is expected to operate at peak electricity periods during the year and increase reliability of service to the City of Rensselaer. The installation will be completed during spring 2006.
The standard Wärtsilä intermediate and peaking plant is a pre-engineered power plant, designed to run parallel with the transmission grid when electric demand is at its highest. The new Wärtsilä engine plant, together with an existing 11-megawatt steam electric power plant, will be used to control present and future power supply costs, provide for greater system reliability and afford the opportunity for the sale of power.
"R. L. Turner and the City of Rensselaer are joining a growing group of communities that realize the ability to provide energy is a critical factor in future growth," said Mr. Frank Donnelly, Vice President of power plants for Wärtsilä North America. "Wärtsilä’s peaking plant will provide the city with security, independence and protection from rising power costs during a time when deregulation has created a great deal of turbulence in the electric industry."
"We are anxiously awaiting our Wärtsilä engine which will make the City of Rensselaer more self sufficient and better able to serve the needs of our citizens," said Mr. Herbert Arihood, the city’s Mayor. Mr. Robert Bennett, Utility Coordinator for the city, said: "With this additional capacity we will be able to supply our load under circumstances that leave other communities in the dark."
Notes to the Editor:
About The City of Rensselaer (www.cityofrensselaerin.com)
The City of Rensselaer Electric System began in 1897 when it purchased a steam electric power plant for $7,500. The plant generated electricity for street lights and provided steam to heat the local schools. Currently, the city serves 3,125 customers within the city’s boundary with a peak summer load of approximately 22 megawatts.
About Wärtsilä (www.wartsila.com)
Wärtsilä Corporation, based in Helsinki, Finland, is a major provider of solutions for decentralized power generation and a leading global ship power supplier. Wärtsilä Power Plants provides complete turnkey power plants ranging from one to 300 megawatts, for applications such as intermediate peaking, multi-fuel base load, combined heat and power, mechanical drives and biopower. Wärtsilä Ship Power offers engines and complete ship machinery, propulsion and maneuvering solutions to suit specific ship design and operational requirements for marine vessels and offshore applications. Wärtsilä Service builds upon its global base of installed engines for ship power and power plants, serving its customers throughout the life cycle of these products with parts and service contracts, maintenance and operations agreements, and online services through subsidiaries in more than 60 countries.