The existing 766MW Marghera Levante gas-fired thermoelectric power plant in Porto Marghera, Venice, Italy is being refurbished with a new 780MW combined-cycle unit, which will be one of the most efficient gas-fired power generating facilities in Europe.
The refurbishment project being undertaken by the plant owner and operator Edison Group is estimated to cost approximately £266m (€350m).
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While the project works have been underway after the signing of a contract with Ansaldo Energia to provide the most advanced Italian gas-turbine technology in March 2019, the new combined-cycle facility is expected to come online by 2022.
The new Marghera Levante power plant will replace two of the three existing gas turbine units currently in operation, while one unit will be kept reserved to balance the power requirement in the event of maintenance shutdowns of the new facility.
The new plant will have an energy efficiency of 63%, compared to 55% of that of the existing facility. It will also reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 40% and 70% respectively. The electricity generated by the new plant will be enough to power approximately 500,000 Italian households.
Location
The Marghera Levante gas-fired power station is located in the industrial area of Port Marghera in the Mestre town, near Venice, in north-eastern Italy.
The new plant make-up
The new Marghera Levante power plant will comprise a more efficient combined-cycle unit equipped with a 530MW H-class GT36 gas turbine from Ansaldo Energia, a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG), and a 250MW steam turbine, along with a catalytic system for controlling nitrogen oxides emissions.
The refurbished power plant is expected to deliver an energy efficiency of 63% and will also be designed to partially operate on hydrogen fuel.
The other components for the new plant will include a gas metering skid, hydrogen storage cylinders, transformers, and high-voltage (HV) cables and stacks.
Infrastructure facilities
The new Marghera Levante power plant will utilise the existing plant structures to the maximum and avail the auxiliary systems and infrastructure facilities present at the site.
The refurbishment project will also rationalise the existing plant structure by reducing the number of chimneys from five to three for a reduced visual impact.
The existing infrastructure facilities to be utilised by the new plant will include the seawater intake and water treatment systems, the demineralisation plant with two 2,500m3 tanks, the fire-fighting system, the compressed air production plant, and other ancillary facilities.
The project also involves the construction of a new electrical and control panel building and a new office building.
Power evacuation
The electricity generated by the Marghera Levante combined-cycle power project will be evacuated into the national transmission system through a 220kV power transmission line.
Finance
The Marghera Levante power plant refurbishment project is being financed through a £128.82m (€150m) loan facility provided by the European Investment Bank (EIB).
Contractors involved
Edison Group signed a contract for the redevelopment of Marghera Levante power plant with Ansaldo Energia in March 2019. The scope of the contract includes the design, engineering, manufacturing, supply, erection, and commissioning of the new plant with the latest Italian gas turbine technology.
Italian boilers manufacturer AC Boilers was subcontracted by Ansaldo Energia for the supply of the heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) for the new plant, while Tenaris was subcontracted by AC Boilers for the supply of Thor® 115 high oxidation resistant steel pipes for the HRSG.
Sofinter Group was subcontracted for the supply of NOx emissions control system, while Skema supplied power motor control centres equipment for the project in 2020.
European engineering and consultancy firm TAUW prepared the environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) report for the project.
International engineering transport company Fagioli was engaged in the gas turbine shipment to the plant site.
The existing Marghera Levante thermoelectric power plant
The Marghera Levante power station has been operational since 1965. The existing facility comprises two combined-cycle blocks for a total power output of 766MW.
The first block comprises two 128MW gas turbines along with a 110MW steam turbine commissioned in 1992. The second block comprises a 260MW gas turbine and a 140MW steam turbine commissioned in 2001.
