Wärtsilä and Italy, a deep and ancient relationship. At the end of the 1990s Finmeccanica sold Grandi Motori Trieste to Wärtsilä itself, which made it a centre of engineering excellence. Let them tell us how this relationship evolves.

Wärtsilä and Italy
The Wärtsilä 31 engine.

Wärtsilä and Italy: a long relationship

The technology group Wärtsilä will supply its high efficiency combined heat and power (CHP) power plant solution based on the Wärtsilä 31SG gas-fuelled engine for two new projects in Italy. The contract has been placed by ENGIE Italia, a player in energy and services, who will use the plants to supply electricity, steam, and hot water to the Marcegaglia Group, a leading player in the global steel processing industry. The order is booked by Wärtsilä in August.The Wärtsilä 31 engine was chosen based on its ability to create energy cost savings through its outstanding efficiency. The diesel version of the engine has been recognised by Guinness World Records as being the world’s most efficient 4-stroke diesel engine. The fuel efficiency of the engine also reduces the environmental impact since emission levels are lower. The Wärtsilä 31SG engine fuelled by natural gas is particularly clean burning, which prolongs maintenance intervals. Furthermore, CHP plants are supported by Italian governmental policies because of their contribution to reduced CO2 emissions. The new Wärtsilä CHP solutions will replace boilers at the two sites which currently provide the required heat, while the needed electricity is now being supplied from the distribution grid.

«As an energy service provider, our aim is always to reduce the environmental impact of our operations and to deliver energy cost savings to our customers, whether they are residential, commercial, or industrial customers. Total efficiency and emission reductions are, therefore, of the highest priority and were the primary factors in selecting the Wärtsilä solution,» commented Carlo Perrone, BtB Director of ENGIE Italia. «These two projects with Wärtsilä engines will enable us to deliver energy at an optimal cost to our clients and to optimize our business plan, while positively contributing to the energy transition.»

A Guinness world’ record engine

«Technically, the Wärtsilä 31SG engine is in a class of its own. While these will be the first CHP installations in Italy using this engine, its popularity is rapidly growing for applications around the world. Energy system efficiency is increasingly important as the world faces the need to reduce CO2 emissions, and the Wärtsilä 31 engine is a key efficiency enabler,» commented Pekka Tolonen, Director, Europe, Wärtsilä Energy. The Ravenna plant in Northern Italy will feature three Wärtsilä 31SG engines with a total output of 35.2 MW, and the Gazoldo degli Ippoliti plant in Lombardia will operate on two Wärtsilä 31SG engines delivering 21.4 MW. Delivery of the equipment will begin in early 2021 and the plants are expected to become fully operational by the end of that year. Wärtsilä has a strong presence in Italy, and these new installations will bring the total capacity provided by Wärtsilä engines in Italy to more than 1,5 GW.

ALSO FOR MARINE APPLICATIONS. IN THIS CASE, TOGETHER WITH LIEBHERR

Highlights

AS Labruna launches the HEVOlution range of hybrid generators

The first model in the range, HEVOlution 80-37, made its world debut at the Metstrade in Amsterdam, the most prestigious international trade fair for nautical components, representing a decisive step towards innovative and environmentally friendly energy solutions.

Diesel of the Year 2025: dawn of the Hyundai DX05 & DX08

The Korean star is also reflected in the Diesel of the Year. South Korea is in the empire of industrial powers, cinema in the author anthology, K-pop in the playlist of teenagers. The 2025 edition is about Hyundai Infracore DX, 4- and 6-cylinder modular (BxS 110x132 mm), which have what it takes to ...

Alternative Engine Award: FPT under the sign of multi-fuel

An award that seems tailor-made for the XC13 by FPT Industrial. It is the Alternative Engine Award. The 13-litre has always been the star of the Cursor family and in the new X version it has been applied since its birth to IVECO trucks and, in the hydrogen version, has been on the ski slopes for thr...

Related articles

Caterpillar launches G3500K series gas gensets 

Caterpillar unveiled the Cat G3500K series of generator sets offering reliable, quick-response, high-efficiency power. The new series of gas generator sets can operate in demanding environments and are designed for a multitude of applications including prime and continuous power.

The EHR by Himoinsa at the largest Rally Championship in Japan

The EHR | Battery Power Generator by Himoinsa was present at the largest Rally in Japan. The solution proposed, which integrates cutting-edge technology, was based on a Yanmar hydrogen fuel cell, responsible for supplying clean, high-performance energy at this world-class event.

Volvo Penta and the BESS subsystems

Volvo Penta is carving out a space in the battery energy storage systems sector as a battery supplier of purpose-built subsystems that prioritize energy density and adapt to various BESS requirements. With ready-to-deliver subsystems, Volvo Penta is ready to support companies in developing resilient...

Vetter relies on mtu PowerPacks for uninterruptible power supply

“A power failure would mean that we would have to dispose of entire batches of medication,” says Kai Schumacher. He is Head of Electrical Engineering at pharmaceutical service provider Vetter and, together with his team, ensures that the electricity always flows at Vetter. And always really means 10...