This news is classified in: Traditional Energy Power Generation
Jul 11, 2022
On July 1, 2022, Indeck Energy Services, Inc. (“Indeck”), along with its Korean partners KOSPO and DL Energy, officially notified the PJM Interconnection of the start of commercial operation for the Indeck Niles Energy Center (Indeck Niles) in Niles, Michigan.
Through a contract with Kiewit Power Constructors Co. (Kiewit), the engineering, construction and procurement (EPC) contractor, GE provided H-Class combined cycle plant equipment to Indeck Niles and is expected to provide parts, repairs and maintenance services for 25 years. Indeck developed the plant to fill the need for generating resources created by the decommissioning of older, more costly and/or less-efficient coal-fired and nuclear plants in the region.
“Natural gas-fired generators have the lowest carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of all fossil power generation fuels. Indeck Niles, a natural gas-fired combined cycle plant, has roughly 67% of the CO2 emissions of a similarly-sized coal plant, and lower emissions levels for other pollutants” said Indeck’s Vice President of Project Development, Michael DuBois. “GE’s HA gas turbines are among the largest and the most efficient gas turbines in the world, and we look forward to making a meaningful, positive contribution to reducing carbon emissions in Michigan. Equally important, we are proud that Indeck Niles transformed an unproductive site into an economic engine that creates jobs, spurs economic development and generates revenues for the City of Niles, its residents, and the local area.”
by Power Rating (Below 0.5 MW, 0.5-1 MW, 1-2 MW, 2-5 MW, Above 2-5 MW), Operation, Speed, End User, and Geography
Download free sample pagesThe plant, built by Kiewit, features all major equipment supplied by GE: two GE 7HA.02 gas turbines, powering two H65 generators, an STF-D600 steam turbine powering a H84 generator, and two Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSG) which are triple pressure reheat drum, along with a Mark* VIe Distributed Control System (DCS) software solution and services to support the availability and reliability of the plant. Auxiliary equipment installed at the power plant includes dry low-NOx burners integrated with selective catalytic reduction technology for controlling the NOx emissions.
The plant achieved the start of operation safely, with the highest standard of quality, and delivers approximately 1.1 gigawatt (GW) of electricity, the equivalent output needed to power approximately 635,000 US homes and businesses.
“The Niles Energy Center will have a positive, lasting impact on the community by reducing carbon emissions and providing reliable power,” said Chris Turnbull, president of Kiewit Power Constructors Co. “We are proud to have served as the EPC contractor and to have worked in close partnership with Indeck and GE in delivering this state-of-the-art facility.”
As reported by EIA, in 2020, natural gas generated the largest amount of Michigan’s electricity for the first time, surpassing coal, which fell to third after nuclear power. Natural gas accounted for 33% of the state’s net generation, while coal’s share declined to 27%. Renewables provided about 11% of Michigan's electricity net generation in 2020, and wind energy accounted for three-fifths of that power.
"Gas power plays a critical role in facilitating coal-to gas transition, but it is also crucial to provide the necessary power to balance the variable nature of renewables and help ensure system reliability at all times” said Eric Gray, President & CEO GE Gas Power Americas. “Our 7HA.02 gas turbines, which can burn up to 20% hydrogen by volume in the gas stream currently, with plans to transition to 100% hydrogen over the next decade, represent a highly efficient energy solution to achieve Michigan’s emission reduction plans”.