Highlights

When such modernization projects are undertaken, the calculations and designs by Bilfinger Berger Power Services engineers provide a basis both for factory production and for on-site assembly. For example, at the Steag AG coal-fired power station in Voerde a project was completed last year in which engineers significantly increased the degree of efficiency just by replacing the heating surfaces and making process changes in the water-steam cycle. System fitters and engineers working at the station north of Duisburg installed around 110 kilometers of boiler tubes, entailing at least 25,000 welds. The order included designing the new components as well as manufacturing and professionally installing the pressurized boiler parts and pipework. Once the work was completed, the Company retained a presence in Voerde, where it now takes care of regular plant servicing and maintenance.

Electricity generators profit in more than one respect from increased efficiency. More efficient power stations not only save increasingly expensive raw materials, but also emit less carbon dioxide. Consequently, trading in emissions certificates adds a further incentive for investments,which make plants more efficient. The efficiency level of coal-fired power stations in the European Union today averages around 38 percent.

Increasing efficiency reduces emissions

Current projects offer the prospect of raising this to an outstanding 43 percent for lignitefired stations and 46 percent for coal-fired stations. With plant components from BBS and EHR, Bilfinger Berger Power Services is contributing substantially to this result.