High technology was the key point offered by WEG with the supply of this innovative solution to Delta power generation mill in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Put into operation this April, the 2-pole turbogenerator is intended to optimize renewable energy cogeneration using sugarcane bagasse between harvest seasons.
The investment is part of an agribusiness expansion program of Delta Sucroenergia Group, increasing the plant's power generation production in the range of 246,505 MWh per year, that is going from 130,000 MWh to 376,505 MWh.
This supply is also regarded as a milestone for WEG since it consolidates its technical expertise as the first domestic manufacturer to produce a 2-pole, 81.25 MVA turbogenerator. "We actually needed a powerful machine that would meet all power generation capacity of the project. However, in Brazil there was no supplier with such a large turbogenerator production history and WEG successfully provided us with technical design guarantee and operation safety” said Delta´s industrial maintenance supervisor, Juliano Vieira de Carvalho.
The hi-tech engineering applied to the design of this type of generator will result in a significant reduction of maintenance costs since it allowed removal of the gearbox between turbine and generator assembly arrangement.
All the panels (mechanical and electrical design) intended for the control of the turbogenerator and making part of the Integrated Distribution, Operation and Control System of the power generation mill were also designed and manufactured by WEG. The entire manufacturing process followed mechanical requirements, electrical and structural application to integrate the new turbogenerator to the existing electrical system of the generation mill.
Robustness of the mechanical panels combined with the high automation level and integration with existing systems offer a high level of reliability to the plant. "The turbogenerator set associated with WEG´s Control System responded perfectly to the project requirements, "The generator performance exceeded our expectations, providing to the process a great thermal performance, greater systemic and dynamic stability," stated Mr. Carvalho.
The great amount of electric energy produced allows the plant to commercialize the excess from internal consumption. This excessive amount will allow electric energy to over 200,000 homes in a year. The control of the electricity distribution is made by a step-up substation, also supplied by WEG, including a step-up 62.5 MVA transformer, which transfers electric energy to National Integrated System (SIN).
The return on invested capital will occur in about 6 years. This is a significantly short period if compared to the generator lifetime, which may exceed 20 years.
About Delta Sucroenergia Group
Delta Group is formed by Delta Operations located in the towns of Delta, Volta Grande, Conceição das Alagoas, and Conquista de Minas, all of them in the state of Minas Gerais. These operations generate about four thousand direct jobs and 12 thousand indirect jobs, representing a major contribution for the development and creating new opportunities for the region.
