The original design output of the steam turbine delivered at the turn of the millennium to PlzeňskáTeplárenská by Doosan Škoda Power, then Škoda Energoa.s., was 50 MWe. Later, operational needs evolved leading to changes in requirements. Although the turbine was capable of delivering higher power output, it could only sustain it for a limited period of time due to technical constraints. Therefore, the teams at Plzeňskáteplárenská and Doosan Škoda Power, which have been servicing the equipment for many years, began considering modifications to enable higher design output on a continuous basis. The customized project involved enhancements to the turbine’s flow section.

“We needed to thoroughly assess numerous conditions when modifying the design of the flow section, ensuring that we didn’t affect the basic design concept of the original steam turbine and downstream equipment. It was also quite a challenge for us to schedule and implement everything within the planned shutdown. After performing basic calculations and making sure that this change was technically feasible, even in the relatively short period of time allowed by the summer shutdown, we arrive to the decision together with the customer to implement the plan,” said Jiří Hadrava, Head of Service at Doosan Škoda Power.

The drafting of a detailed project design, involving over a dozen technical experts from various disciplines, was followed by the manufacture of new parts for the flow section of the steam turbine and, of course, careful preparation for the implementation of the project in the facility. This required not only collaboration with other specialists, but also meticulous work of both project teams at Plzeňskáteplárenská and Doosan Škoda Power. The preparatory phase lasted a year until the planned summer shutdown because the turbine is in continuous operation for the rest of the year. The service team made the most of the two-month shutdown.

Regular maintenance not only enhances safety, but it also extends the equipment’s lifespan. With the complete resealing, efficiency is increased, leading to greater utilization of input energy and more savings. “The upgraded steam turbine provides flexibility with minimum restrictions and the increased efficiency aligns with our long-term decarbonization strategy. We can now switch to higher power output whenever needed and for any length of time, which was not possible before. The whole operation can thus be even more efficient and sustainable,” concludes Jan Skřivánek, Production Director of Plzeňskáteplárenská.

The success of the project became evident during the test run immediately after the turbocharger was put into operation and during the subsequent heating season.


ABOUT DOOSAN ŠKODA POWER

Doosan Škoda Power is part of a strong group of companies united under the Doosan Group, which supplies leading technologies and services of the highest quality and value to customers all over the world.
Doosan Škoda Power is a leading global manufacturer and supplier of power plant machinery, especially steam turbine/generator sets with outputs between 3 and 1,200 MW. The company has extensive experience and references from applications for steam-driven and fossil-fuel fired power plants, CHPs, nuclear and solar power plants (CSPs), biomass incinerators, etc. As regards services, the company offers overhaul and replacement of worn components, long-term warranty service or retrofit or modernization of steam turbines manufactured by the company or third parties. Its annual R&D investments allow for development of high-quality products meeting specific customer requirements.
www.doosanskodapower.com


PLZEŇSKÁ TEPLÁRENSKÁ A.S.

Plzeňskáteplárenská, a.s. is the largest energy producer in the city of Pilsen and the Pilsen Region. It is responsible for producing and distributing heat for heating and hot water to households in Pilsen, as well as numerous commercial, business, administrative, and educational facilities. Its network serves 54,000 households and must maintain reliability and availability 24/7.

Plzeňskáteplárenská also ranks as the third largest provider of support services that guarantee the required quality of transmission services within the Czech Republic’s electricity grid.
www.pltep.cz