LNG-to-energy solutions, notably for distributed power, have made Wärtsilä one of the biggest supplier of gas- and liquid fuel-fired power stations in the 5–600 MW range. Such baseload and/or grid stability plants are used predominately as ‘wind chasers’ and ‘sunset balancers’, compensating for intermittent supply of renewable energy – soon also on the island of Aruba.
At Gastech, held in Tokyo in early April, Wärtsilä together with marine design consultancy Houlder and hose supplier Trelleborg showcased a system transferring LNG from the carrier vessel to shoreline terminals where no jetty exist. For island nations and other coastal communities around the globe, the transporting and bunkering of LNG is becoming increasingly important as a means to fuel distributed power stations.
Distributed power stations in off-grid locations tend to be often fuelled by LNG, which can be delivered to site via small, dedicated LNG vessels.
Case study Aruba
In Aruba, a Caribbean country situated just north of Venezuela, energy is needed for three main industries: tourism, aloe export, and petroleum refining. There is no LNG import terminal on the island and the government plans to step up the share of wind power and add some solar PV installation.
However, the steep rise in electricity demand for air conditioning, combined with switch to LNG-fuelled cruise ships has prompted Wärtsilä to calculate Aruba’s future demand as approximately 81.1 million cubic metres of gas or 62,400 tonnes per annum of LNG.
To import LNG to Aruba, one can as of October 2016 benefit from the AES Andres LNG terminal in the Dominican Republic which now offers reloads to small-scale LNG carriers. Alternatively, importers are counting on the the 138,500 m3 Golar Arctic – moored as a floating storage unit (FSU) offshore Jamaica – to be made available as a supply point for other small-scale LNG projects in the Caribbean.
Once LNG supply is in place in Aruba, flexible gas-fired power stations can be more easily run on the island.
Cooperation on small-scale LNG with Engie
Together with Engie of France, Wärtsilä is working on four work streams: LNG-to-Power solutions, LNG distribution in islands and remote areas, a LNG for ships, and small scale LNG and bio liquefaction.
The Finnish-French energy partnership was forged in November 2016, when senior executives signed a memorandum to “co-develop technical solutions that would enable both Wärtsilä and Engie to expand their small scale LNG businesses.”
Since then, the two companies are working on projects for a low-carbon economy: Wärtsilä is bringing to the table is its technical expertise and Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) capabilities, while Engie’s builds on its experience in natural gas distribution and commercialisation.
Pilot projects in Finland
Back in Finland, Wärtsilä’s home market, the manufacturer works as EPC contractor for the onshore Manga LNG terminal, and has also delivered several small-scale power barges and a biogas liquefaction plant. The cooperation with Engie is meant to help replicate similar projects in Europe, the Americas and Asia.
Engie has pioneered the development of small-scale LNG to remote customers; its focus is on small liquefaction plants; LNG truck loading, bunkering and fuelling, and not least LNG for power applications.