Page 7 - Energize December 2022

COVER STORY

Mining for magnetite multiple units, cascading operation
In Western Australia, Bergen Engines delivered 15 medium speed gas gensets to provides the required flexibility, without
Contract Power for the Iron Bridge Magnetite Project, an unincorporated joint venture losing their high efficiency.
between Fortescue Metals Group subsidiary FMG Iron Bridge and Formosa Steel IB.
The mine delivers 22 million tons per annum (MTPA) of high grade 67% Fe magnetite Reduce, reuse, rebuild
concentrate product. The benefits of a modular system, such
The gensets for the mine were based on Bergen Engines’ 20-cylinder B36:45 as Bergen’s B3X:45 series, makes it
engine, which was introduced to the global market at the end of 2018, setting a possible to rebuild the engine from liquid
new standard in power and efficiency with exceptionally low fuel consumption and to gas operation – or vice versa – if the
emissions. The 15 gas gensets were integrated with a 150 MW solar PV farm and fuel supply should change, which reduces
battery storage, and the hybrid energy system is connected to a new transmission the investment risk for their customers.
network, ensuring that the right amount of electricity is supplied in a dependable, With intermittent renewables, power
efficient and environmentally friendly manner. supply will sometimes exceed demand,
Jon Erik Røv, Managing Director of Bergen Engines said: “The gas engines are and this surplus energy can be used to
designed for different operating modes and can be used to generate baseload, peak produce synthetic fuels such as methane
power, or operate in combined cycles. The engines are well suited for remote locations gas. The resulting carbon-neutral gas can
and have excellent capability to meet quick and frequent load changes, which is be used in Bergen’s gas-powered engines
essential in microgrids.” without any need for modifications.
Regarding Bergen’s B36:45 gas engine, Jamie Cullen, the chief executive of Pacific Hydrogen, ammonia, or liquid
Energy, parent company of Contract Power said: “The Bergen gensets are low-emission methanol are other low carbon fuels that
units with market-leading fuel efficiency, which delivers low-cost, clean energy to if produced with surplus energy from
support our growing penetration of renewable energy.” renewables, may become relevant for
power generation. These synthetic fuels
Power solutions for a sustainable future can be effective decarbonization agents,
Gas-fired power is likely to play a significant role in the energy mix toward 2050, using conventional power generation
alongside an increasing desire for more renewable energy. The power industry is equipment such as reciprocating engines.
moving away from big, often coal-fired, centralised power plants, in favor of smaller, Bergen has already proven that their
decentralized microgrids. gas engines can run on a blend of 15%v
The high penetration of these renewables will require increased demand for hydrogen + 85 %v natural gas without
dispatchable balancing power, but how can this be achieved while keeping emissions any adjustments. Currently, the company
and costs low? These are the questions Bergen is tackling early in the development is leading a three-year technology
and seem to have already found a solution. Their gas generating sets feature fast study in collaboration with Equinor,
start-up and maintain their high efficiency levels – even at part-load operation – which SINTEF Energy Research, SINTEF Ocean,
keeps emissions and fuel consumption low. the Norwegian University of Science
and Technology (NTNU) and RISE Fire
Low emissions with proven technology Research. The Ammonia Zero Emissions
With a focus on keeping their emissions to a minimum, Bergen Engines’ latest gas Project (AMAZE) was launched by Bergen
engine series can also achieve up to 50% efficiency in open cycle. The series is Engines to develop technology for a fuel-
designed for minimal de-rating at higher altitudes and adverse site conditions, so flexible internal combustion engine with
alongside fast start-up times, transient response and high availability, these gas carbon-free ammonia as the primary
engines are a perfect match for intermittent renewable energy that needs balancing fuel. The development goal is a multi-fuel
power. engine able to switch seamlessly from
ammonia to diesel, or other low-carbon
Balancing the grid with flexibility fuels such as biofuels. The advanced fuel

With renewable energy in the electricity networks, frequency and voltage stability injection and combustion technology is
can become challenging due to the large and fast variations in power output from expected to ensure high efficiency and
renewables. Frequency may also be less stable because of the reduction in rotating close to zero emissions.
inertia of synchronous systems. Consequently, other power sources must be more
flexible, respond to rapid load changes, and be able to start and stop frequently. Contact Cane O’Neill,
The Bergen medium-speed generating sets meet these requirements and with cane.oneill@bergenengines.com

energize | December 2022 | 7