BASF has started construction work on a new combined heat and power plant at its site in Ludwigshafen, Germany. It is due to come on-line in 2005, and it is believed that it will help the company meet its long-term environmental targets.
"The construction of the high efficiency power plant will make an important contribution toward securing the long-term sustainability of the Ludwigshafen site," said Dr Albert Heuser, director of the site.
Once operational, the power plant will supply 440 megawatts of electricity and 650 metric tons of steam per hour to BASF's production facilities. BASF is investing €240 million in the construction of the plant and its integration into the site's energy infrastructure.
Dr Walter Seufert, president of BASF's Environment, Safety & Energy competence centre, said that the new plant is based on combined heat and power, with the cogeneration of steam and electricity increasing energy efficiency to 90 per cent. "From 2006 on, the new plant will lower the amount of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide we emit by 500,000 metric tons per year," he continued.
The plant is being constructed by Siemens Power Generation and will consist of two gas turbines, one steam turbine, three generators, mechanical equipment and components with two heat-recovery steam generators, as well as electrical systems and equipment, instrumentation and control systems.