Reliability of Hungarian Power System Enhanced by Wartsila Automation Upgrade & Agreement Extension

The technology group Wärtsilä and Hungarian utility Tatabanya Erömu Kft. have signed a five-year extension to an existing maintenance agreement, as well as an automation upgrade contract. The signings took place in October 2019. Tatabanya Erömu operates an 18 MW grid balancing power plant in northwestern Hungary running on three Wärtsilä 34SG gas engines. The plant supports the national grid by providing the needed input load to enable grid balancing.

In extending the maintenance agreement, Wärtsilä is also providing performance guarantees in terms of 95 percent plant availability, and the ability to run at 10 percent load. Tatabanya Erömu is contracted to fulfill load requirements, which can at times be this low.

Additionally, Wärtsilä will upgrade the plant’s automation and UNIC engine control system. The Wärtsilä UNIC engine control system is a durable, all-inclusive automation system designed to provide reliable performance in demanding industrial environments, such as power plants. The control and automation system upgrade will allow Tatabanya Erömu to operate ancillary services that help to maintain a reliable electricity system. This will enable the utility to expand its revenue earning services.

“The Wärtsilä upgrade package will provide the plant with greater operational reliability and give us the opportunity to join tertiary grid balancing. This allows us to provide stand-by and power provision services as needed. Cooperating with Wärtsilä makes it possible for us to expand our range of services, while the maintenance agreement frees us to focus on our core business,” said Dr. Sámuel Emese, Managing Director, Tatabanya Erömu Kft.

“We have maintained this plant since 2004 when it was first installed, so this extension to the agreement is a good endorsement of our capabilities and the trust we have been able to build with the customer. The control and automation system upgrade is a sensible and logical investment for Tatabanya Erömu in expanding its revenue earning services,” said Ronald Jonker Director, Regional Operations, Europe, Wärtsilä Energy Business.

Wärtsilä’s Lifecycle solution agreements for the energy industry ensure the performance and competitiveness of power plants. Customised solutions are provided for every stage of the plant’s lifecycle to suit the operating profile and the customer’s business. Globally, Wärtsilä has 12 GW of power plant installations covered by long-term agreements.