Power Developments International FZCO, a division of the Al Masaood Group, has announced that they have successfully supplied, installed and commissioned a remanufactured Frame 6 gas turbine and new generator at Eraring Power Station, New South Wales, Australia.
Eraring Power Station, owned by Eraring Energy, is the country’s largest power generation plant. The station operates four 660MW generating units, providing over 25% of the state’s electricity generation portfolio.
The award of this contract was the first in Australia for Power Developments International, known globally as PDI. PDI specialises in comprehensive gas turbine-based power generation solutions and associated services to a wide range of clients and industries. With headquarters based in Dubai, UAE, PDI provide cost-effective power generation solutions by utilising its own stock remanufactured gas turbine generator packages.
With two years of planning and preparation behind the project, Eraring Energy’s project scope was to increase the level of security of the NSW electricity grid by providing Black Start capability, while at the same time setting benchmark safety and environmental standards for gas turbine installations. The new Black Start GTG will provide emergency power suitable to restart the power station in the event the whole of NSW experiences a statewide power blackout.
The Black Start test at Eraring Power Station has been completed, with a 660MW steam unit (Eraring Unit #2) successfully restarted from ‘system black’ conditions using the newly installed GTG by PDI. The Black Start test was witnessed by the National Electricity Market Management Company (NEMMCO), who are satisfied that the gas turbine is capable of providing a stable power base to return one of the Eraring Power Station 660MW units to service from a ‘system black’ event.
“The black start gas turbine project presented at the outset, a number of interesting technical challenges. It is satisfying that these have been met and the plant capability proven under black start conditions. The PDI project team have worked closely with our client at all stages of the project from design through the installation, commissioning and testing phases. The support and co-operation received from Eraring Energy has been a factor in helping PDI to deliver a successful project,” said Stephen Parson, PDI Eraring project manager.