Revamping of the EP Produzione Ostiglia power plant with the installation of a new combined cycle gas turbine

Project description 

EPH is a leading Central European energy group that owns and operates assets in the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Germany, Italy, Ireland, the UK, France and Switzerland. EPH is a vertically integrated energy utility, covering the complete value chain ranging from highly efficient cogeneration, power and heat generation, natural gas transmission, gas storage, as well as gas, heat and electricity distribution and supply. The scope includes also trading and logistics platforms, gas infrastructure management, and real estate development.

In the municipality of Ostiglia in the Lombardia Region (Italy) EP Produzione would like to revamp its 1.200 MWe gas-fired combined cycle power plant located in Ostiglia (Lombardia Region, Italy) in order to increase the installed electrical power up to approximately 1.700 MWe, increase the electrical efficiency and decrease the impacts of the plant on the air quality and on the Po River.

The current power plant consists of three 400 MWe gas-fired combined cycle gas turbines cooled with the water of the Po river.

In summary the project consists of:

• The installation of a new 920 MWe class H gas fired Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) cooled with air inside the old fuel oil tanks area located at 1 km distance from the power island. The new CCGT has an electrical efficiency greater than 60% (currently the best on the market) and it is equipped with an exhaust treatment section that allows NOx concentrations below the BAT conclusions emission lower threshold;
• The installation of a new 1 km buried High Voltage power line to connect the new power plant to the national grid;
• The installation of a new 0,5 km natural gas pipeline to connect the new power plant to the natural gas provider pipeline;
• The widening of the 300 m long access road to the plant;
• The installation of all the necessary connections (waste water pipeline, fresh water pipeline, etc.) between the current power island and the new power plant;
• Placement of one of the three existing groups in cold reserve and installation  of an NOx exhaust treatment section in each of them. 
  
  

The project aligns with the national energy plan for the Italian energy transition and supports the phase-out of coal-fired power plants and the development of renewable energy production to reach the 2030 goals maintaining the safety and the quality of the Italian energy system.

The project involved the following permitting procedures:

• Environmental impact assessment at national level (Environmental Ministry)
• Health Impact Assessment at national level (Italian National Institute of Health)
• IPPC at national level (Environmental Ministry)
• Energetic unique permit to obtain all the necessary permits to build and operate the new Power Plant at national level (Economic Development Ministry)
  
  

TAUW Italia developed all the documents and studies for the above permitting procedures; including these key requirements:

• Project Design for permitting (subcontractor);
• Environmental Impact Studies (TAUW) with the following appendices:
• Air Quality Dispersion Modeling (TAUW);
• Noise Impact Study (TAUW);
• Landscape impact assessment (TAUW);
• Natura 2000 areas impact assessment (TAUW);
• Archaeological impact assessment (TAUW);
  
  
• Health Impact Assessment (TAUW + Epidemiologist)
• IPPC documents (TAUW)
  
  

How did the cooperation with the client go? 

TAUW was the main contractor and cooperated with the engineering company, named Co-Ver, and an expert. Co-Ver designs the plant and produced the project documents for the permitting. The epidemiologist, together with TAUW, developed the Health Impact Assessment study attached to the Environmental Impact Study.

In this project TAUW also cooperated with SIEMENS which is one of the plant providers, regardingtechnical and environmental issues related to the new CCGT (e.g. to figure out noise issues).

The results

The studies carried out by TAUW demonstrated the sustainability of the project and led to the client obtaining all necessary permits to build and operate the new power plant. The benefit of the project for the living environment is to contribute to the EU Capacity mechanisms that supports electricity supply security for the development of renewable energy with the reduction of the polluting gas emissions of the Ostiglia power plant. The client was extremely satisfied and has subsequently awarded TAUW other projects related to renewables and conventional power plants.

"For TAUW employees, this project was challenging and allowed us to demonstrate our professional capacity as a team. This project was acquired during the first lockdown and provided hope that despite the pandemic, our work could continue."