Bergen Engines supplies CHP microgrid for Puerto Rico
The Sampol group signed a purchase agreement for two new energy-efficient power plants, supplied with Bergen Engines, for the life-science industry in Puerto Rico.
The Sampol group signed a purchase agreement for two new energy-efficient power plants, supplied with Bergen Engines, for the life-science industry in Puerto Rico.
Power supply continuity is a challenge for any island in the Caribbean but after Hurricane Maria in 2017, resilience became paramount for major businesses with key operations in Puerto Rico.
The plants are powered by four Bergen engines’ B36:45L 3.3MW medium speed (720rpm) units which are known for their low emissions and low fuel consumption. The design of the plants is based on an innovative hybrid-renewable microgrid solution which will integrate solar photovoltaic technology, batteries, and baseload cogeneration for maximum use of renewable and cleaner energy.
Both sites will be operated as Combined Heat & Power (CHP) plants. These two cogenerations will produce high efficiency power, where the excess heat will be recycled to produce steam and hot water, covering factory thermal needs, and avoiding the use of fuel in traditional factory boilers.
Additional advantages of the design are:
– Exceptional energy efficiency. Baseload power generation of medium-speed Bergen Engines with additional utilization of waste heat, allowing the plants to save more fuel.
– Reliability. Sampol’s design ensures power continuity – even in a disaster or disruption.
– Reduced costs. High efficiency and reliability mean major cost savings for the customer
– Reduced emissions. The solution will reduce 21,500tn of CO2 and contribute toward a carbon footprint reduction of 45%. This microgrid solution is able to support fast and frequent stop-starts and manage dynamic load response for grid balancing effortlessly and is also capable for island operation.
Nick Firtonea, Business Development Director Sampol Group, said: “Sampol has designed a unique, reliable, resilient, sustainable power solution, using Bergen Engines medium speed technology. With this type of power plant solutions, we aim to grow and support manufacturing capability on a global level”.
Theo Lorentzos, Head of Sales for the Americas at Bergen Engines: “We are delighted that Sampol have selected four of our 6-cylinder natural gas engines, to provide reliable baseload power alongside renewables and in a microgrid application. With market-leading efficiency and low-cost maintenance, we can maximize the through–life project cost for our customer”.
The project is set to become the reference model for future developments in the Caribbean Region and marks Bergen Engines’ entrance into Puerto Rico after many years in North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
