ABB systems used in Italy’s first large clean coal power station conversion
Zurich, Switzerland, December 19, 2005 - ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, said today it has won a contract worth $26 million to automate a new thermal power station at Torrevaldaliga Nord (Civitavecchia), near Rome, Italy.
ABB won the order from engineering contractor Enelpower of Italy to supply a DCS (Distributed Control System) to convert a heavy fuel power plant with advanced control systems so that it can safely burn “clean coal.”
“Our state-of-the-art power station automation systems give ABB the technically superior solution,” said Peter Smits, head of ABB’s Power Technologies division. “Our proven ability to develop and manage large, complex projects like this was a key factor in this bid.”
Project scope includes design, supply, assembly and commissioning of components and instruments for automation, supervision, control and protection of the entire power station, including critical boiler and filter systems based on the Industrial IT Extended Automation System 800xA technology. ABB will supply medium voltage switchgear, SCADA and a protection system.
The conversion includes installation of three coal-burning units, expected to supply 1,980 megawatts of power when they all become operational at the end of 2008. Advanced emissions control devices include denox, desox and fabric filter systems to dampen particulate, as well as completely closed coal unloading, transport and storage systems.
The project is Enel's first large investment in “clean coal” technology, part of a company strategy to balance the mix of fuels used in its power stations while taking care to protect the environment.