Wärtsilä Picked For College Project

Wärtsilä will supply three gas-fueled Wärtsilä 34SG engines to help ensure operational flexibility in the power generation system of Michigan State University’s (MSU) East Lansing campus.

The engineered equipment delivery (EEQ) was awarded by the Christman Co. (TCC), the main contractor for a project to modernize the campus’ power generation system. The Wärtsilä 34SG engines have a total power output of 28 MW. The engines come in 9, 16 and 20 cylinder variants and have a bore and stroke of 340 X 400 mm.

MSU operates its own power plant to self-generate its electricity supply. The medium-speed Wärtsilä34SG engines will help to modernize the campus generation system and increase its overall efficiency, the company said. This addition also accommodates the growing demand for electricity on campus. Furthermore, the fast-starting capability of the Wärtsilä engines will provide the balancing support needed to aid in the integration of intermittent solar energy into the system, the company said.

“Wärtsilä’s solid reputation and strong track record in the USA were critical factors in the award of this contract. The Wärtsilä engines will provide considerable benefits to the modernization project including improved overall efficiency and reliability while lowering environmental impact and operational costs of the plant. We are proud and excited to work with both TCC and MSU on this project,” said Mikael Backman, Director, Solutions, Americas, Wärtsilä Energy Business.

The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled for delivery in the beginning of 2020, and the plant is expected to be fully operational by the end of that year.