Case Study: South Texas Electric Cooperative achieves grid stability and rapid wind integration with Wärtsilä Energy's gas engine power plant

South Texas Electric Cooperative reaches full power in 8 minutes with Wärtsilä Energy

The South Texas Electric Cooperative (STEC) faced the challenge of integrating a large amount of unpredictable wind power into its grid while maintaining stability for its 250,000 accounts. Their primary hurdles included the wide and quick variation of output needs and the unforeseeable generation from wind farms. To address this, STEC partnered with Wärtsilä Energy for a flexible power generation solution.

Wärtsilä Energy implemented a 203 MW gas engine power plant using 24 Wärtsilä 34SG engines. This solution, which included emission reduction equipment and a closed-circuit radiator cooling system, could reach full output in just eight minutes to quickly compensate for drops in wind power. The plant provided superb grid stability, enabled increased revenue from ancillary services, and used negligible water, all while being delivered ahead of schedule. Wärtsilä's technology allowed STEC to securely integrate vast amounts of renewable wind energy.

South Texas Electric Cooperative