Manova Achieves More Profitable Market Position with Flexible Operations
_30.jpg "GE Digital (GE) (General Electric) Logo")
Company Size
1,000+
Region
- Europe
Country
- Germany
Product
- GE’s control software technologies
- AutoTune
- Turndown
- Variable Peak
- Smart Inlet Bleed Heat (IBH)
Tech Stack
- Control Software
Implementation Scale
- Enterprise-wide Deployment
Impact Metrics
- Cost Savings
- Productivity Improvements
Technology Category
- Application Infrastructure & Middleware - API Integration & Management
Applicable Industries
- Utilities
Applicable Functions
- Discrete Manufacturing
Use Cases
- Energy Management System
- Process Control & Optimization
Services
- Software Design & Engineering Services
About The Customer
Mainova AG is one of the largest regional energy suppliers in Germany, providing electricity, gas, heat and water. The company operates in a competitive landscape where electricity sells on a daily basis and purchases are mainly driven by the price of fuel. Other less costly fuel sources, such as solar, wind, coal and nuclear take precedence, leading Mainova to seek innovative ways to drive production efficiency. The company was interested in lowering its minimum part load, reducing fuel costs, and improving maximum power output, all while maintaining emissions compliance.
The Challenge
Mainova AG, one of the largest regional energy suppliers in Germany, was facing a challenge in the competitive landscape of cogeneration using gas fuel. In Germany, electricity sells on a daily basis and purchases are mainly driven by the price of fuel. Other less costly fuel sources, such as solar, wind, coal and nuclear take precedence, leading Mainova to take an innovative step to drive production efficiency. Mainova was interested in lowering its minimum part load, reducing fuel costs, and improving maximum power output — all while maintaining emissions compliance.
The Solution
The GE unit in Frankfurt was the first 6B gas turbine in the world to receive GE’s control software technologies: AutoTune, Turndown, Variable Peak and Smart Inlet Bleed Heat (IBH). This Operations Optimization solution is designed to deliver broad operational flexibility across all modes of plant operation by expanding the operating envelope, while enabling significant performance improvement. The solution allows Mainova to run their gas turbine at competitive levels, leading to a more profitable position in the market. They also now have the ability to set emissions limits and let the turbine control maximum performance within those limits.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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