The original plan was to build 4 furnaces, but during construction it was decided to build only 2 furnaces in the first phase. The construction started in 1977 and the first two furnaces came on stream in 1979 and 1980. A third one was put into operation in 1999. In 2006 it was decided to start production of MgFeSi (nodularizers for iron foundries) at Elkem and the new MgFeSi plant began production in 2008.
In 1977 Icelandic Alloys Ltd. (now Elkem Iceland) started the construction of a FeSi factory at Grundartangi. Initially the first phase design criteria assumed a factory equipped with only one furnace plus the necessary infrastructure, soon to be expanded by a second furnace. Both furnaces were producing at full capacity in 1980. The third furnace was added in phase two commencing in 1995 and furnace III was in full production by 1999. The new furnace produces 75% silica iron and is designed for a load of 42 MV and production of 42 thousand metric tons and for this 330 GWh per year is needed. The furnace came into operation in the autumn of 1999, increasing the plant’s production capability by 60%. The electrical furnace load of the factory is about 120 MW, annual FeSi production is 120 thousand metric tons, and the energy consumption is around 945 GWh per year.
During the systems design of the plant, quality control of electricity was made and magnetic field measurements.
Verkís services was design, consulting, electrical and control systems, tender documents, inspection, testing, commissioning, contracting, participation in project management, monitoring, planning and cost estimates.
The Challenge
Reykjavík Energy owns the Hellisheidi geothermal power plant, a combined heat and power plant located about 20 km from Reykjavík in south-west Iceland. The area is one of Iceland’s most active high enthalpy areas. A new area, at Gráuhnúkar, is being investigated for steam and fluid extraction. The purpose of the plants is to meet increased demand for electricity for industrial and domestic use and for hot water for heating. The 303 MWe geothermal power plant in Hellisheiði, Iceland, was commissioned in 5 stages during the years 2006-2011. The first stage was completed in 2006 with two high pressure geothermal turbines of 45 MWe capacity each. The second stage was completed in 2007 with one low pressure geothermal turbine of 33 MWe capacity. The third stage was completed in 2008 with two additional high pressure geothermal turbines, 45 MWe each.
In 2010 a heating plant for hot water generation was added to the plant, intended for district heating. The heat output of the first stage is 133 MWth and two further 133 MWth stages are to follow later. At the same time the Hellisheiði hot water main was put into service. The main is a 19,5 km long pipeline, 0,9-1,0 m in diameter, that carries hot water to Reykjavík. In 2011 the 5th stage of the plant was finished, which includes two new 45 MWe high pressure geothermal turbines, similar to the former turbines, situated in a new power house in Sleggjubeinsdalur.
The plant utilizes 500 kg/s of 180°C geothermal steam for electrical generation. The hot fluid is extracted from 30 wells, 2.000 – 3.000 m deep, and is led through steam and mist separators before entering the turbines. The high pressure steam gathering system operates at 9 bara pressure. The low pressure steam is generated with flashing of brine water from the steam separators at a pressure of 2 bara. The generating units are of single flow, single flash type with axial exhaust. Cooling is achieved through wet cooling towers of the counter flow type.
The main components of the electrical system for each unit consist of a 50 MVA generator, 50 MVA step-up transformer to 220 kV transmission voltage, an 11/11 kV transformer for connection to the 11 kV station service system and two 11/0,4 kV transformers for station service. The generating units, as well as the 11 kV and 0,4 kV distribution boards, are monitored and controlled by the state of the art control- and protection equipment.
Our Solution
Reykjavík Energy owns the Hellisheidi geothermal power plant, a combined heat and power plant located about 20 km from Reykjavík in south-west Iceland. The area is one of Iceland’s most active high enthalpy areas. A new area, at Gráuhnúkar, is being investigated for steam and fluid extraction. The purpose of the plants is to meet increased demand for electricity for industrial and domestic use and for hot water for heating. The 303 MWe geothermal power plant in Hellisheiði, Iceland, was commissioned in 5 stages during the years 2006-2011. The first stage was completed in 2006 with two high pressure geothermal turbines of 45 MWe capacity each. The second stage was completed in 2007 with one low pressure geothermal turbine of 33 MWe capacity. The third stage was completed in 2008 with two additional high pressure geothermal turbines, 45 MWe each.
In 2010 a heating plant for hot water generation was added to the plant, intended for district heating. The heat output of the first stage is 133 MWth and two further 133 MWth stages are to follow later. At the same time the Hellisheiði hot water main was put into service. The main is a 19,5 km long pipeline, 0,9-1,0 m in diameter, that carries hot water to Reykjavík. In 2011 the 5th stage of the plant was finished, which includes two new 45 MWe high pressure geothermal turbines, similar to the former turbines, situated in a new power house in Sleggjubeinsdalur.
The plant utilizes 500 kg/s of 180°C geothermal steam for electrical generation. The hot fluid is extracted from 30 wells, 2.000 – 3.000 m deep, and is led through steam and mist separators before entering the turbines. The high pressure steam gathering system operates at 9 bara pressure. The low pressure steam is generated with flashing of brine water from the steam separators at a pressure of 2 bara. The generating units are of single flow, single flash type with axial exhaust. Cooling is achieved through wet cooling towers of the counter flow type.
The main components of the electrical system for each unit consist of a 50 MVA generator, 50 MVA step-up transformer to 220 kV transmission voltage, an 11/11 kV transformer for connection to the 11 kV station service system and two 11/0,4 kV transformers for station service. The generating units, as well as the 11 kV and 0,4 kV distribution boards, are monitored and controlled by the state of the art control- and protection equipment.
The Result
Reykjavík Energy owns the Hellisheidi geothermal power plant, a combined heat and power plant located about 20 km from Reykjavík in south-west Iceland. The area is one of Iceland’s most active high enthalpy areas. A new area, at Gráuhnúkar, is being investigated for steam and fluid extraction. The purpose of the plants is to meet increased demand for electricity for industrial and domestic use and for hot water for heating. The 303 MWe geothermal power plant in Hellisheiði, Iceland, was commissioned in 5 stages during the years 2006-2011. The first stage was completed in 2006 with two high pressure geothermal turbines of 45 MWe capacity each. The second stage was completed in 2007 with one low pressure geothermal turbine of 33 MWe capacity. The third stage was completed in 2008 with two additional high pressure geothermal turbines, 45 MWe each.
In 2010 a heating plant for hot water generation was added to the plant, intended for district heating. The heat output of the first stage is 133 MWth and two further 133 MWth stages are to follow later. At the same time the Hellisheiði hot water main was put into service. The main is a 19,5 km long pipeline, 0,9-1,0 m in diameter, that carries hot water to Reykjavík. In 2011 the 5th stage of the plant was finished, which includes two new 45 MWe high pressure geothermal turbines, similar to the former turbines, situated in a new power house in Sleggjubeinsdalur.
The plant utilizes 500 kg/s of 180°C geothermal steam for electrical generation. The hot fluid is extracted from 30 wells, 2.000 – 3.000 m deep, and is led through steam and mist separators before entering the turbines. The high pressure steam gathering system operates at 9 bara pressure. The low pressure steam is generated with flashing of brine water from the steam separators at a pressure of 2 bara. The generating units are of single flow, single flash type with axial exhaust. Cooling is achieved through wet cooling towers of the counter flow type.
The main components of the electrical system for each unit consist of a 50 MVA generator, 50 MVA step-up transformer to 220 kV transmission voltage, an 11/11 kV transformer for connection to the 11 kV station service system and two 11/0,4 kV transformers for station service. The generating units, as well as the 11 kV and 0,4 kV distribution boards, are monitored and controlled by the state of the art control- and protection equipment.
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Icelandic
