Peak-time power

PPC Energy of Slovakia and Moravia Energo of the Czech Republic have selected Rolls-Royce Trent 60 generating sets to provide peak-time electrical power for Bratislava and Prostejov.

The two electrical power companies will use the Wet Low Emissions (WLE) version of the Trent 60 engine and join 16 other countries that have bought or reserved the same generating sets.

According to Rolls-Royce, the engines are particularly valued for their quick start-up capacity and ability to achieve full load within 10 minutes. Their lower emission levels also provide an added incentive for government-backed environment targets.

Charlie Athanasia, vice-president of power generation for Rolls-Royce, said the industrial Trent engine has proven itself as the favoured gas turbine for power generation projects.

He said: ‘Project developers continue to express a high level of interest in the Trent with its high, simple cycle efficiency and industry leading power density in its class. This translates into lower operating and installation costs as well as enhanced total life cycle value for our customers.’

PPC will install the engine at an existing power station in Slovakia to provide 58,000kWe energy at peak times for periods lasting up to three or four hours.

Similarly, Moravia Energo will use the Trent to supply peak-time support as well as providing a grid back-up facility.

The Trent 60 engines will be manufactured at the Rolls-Royce plant in Montreal, Canada and packaged in Ohio.

The units are expected to be delivered in mid-2009 and will begin generating electricity during the first quarter of 2010.