Over a century of experience in the Italian market, with industrial and marine propulsion systems and customised technical-engineering solutions. But there is a very important chapter in the history of DEUTZ Italy that few people know about on a national scale. We are talking about a collaboration with SEA Società Elettrica Di Favignana S.p.A, which began a good 30 yearsago, and which today represents an important union capable of generating one of the most prestigious products. In fact, a traditional power plant was converted, which now consists solely of gensets with DEUTZ engines, with a total output of 12 MW.
After 30 years of collaboration comes an anniversary that deserves to be celebrated by DEUTZ Italy and Società Elettrica Di Favignana. The reasons why the two companies have continuously chosen each other are many.
After 30 years of collaboration comes an anniversary that deserves to be celebrated by DEUTZ Italy and Società Elettrica Di Favignana. The reasons why the two companies have continuously chosen each other are many.
First and foremost, the focus is on a quality product and, above all, on its support that has led DEUTZ Italy to assist and advise the company in every different production activity. A production that can often face some difficulties, as engineer Fabrizio Longo, Power Plant Manager, also explained. The critical issues in question relate in particular to continuous power generation on a non-interconnected island.
But let’s also recall the benefits with respect to engine overhauls and the technological developments SEA has set itself for the coming years.
Goal number 1: technological evolution
the production site to the general overhaul workshops, due to environmental requirements. This year, however, an on-site overhaul was carried out for one of the engines, the inline 6-cylinder BV 628.
This choice was dictated in particular by 2 factors:
- Finding a viable alternative to the management of general overhauls, cutting the time it takes to move the units from the island of Favignana to the overhaul workshops
- Offer the team an important period of coaching and confrontation with DEUTZ technicians
In view of the successful outcome of this first overhaul, SEA also intends to proceed with the BV 628 nine-cylinder in-line unit, with an overhaul planned for next autumn.
The world is moving
All these activities performed together on traditional production facilities go hand in hand with what is SEA’s primary goal: technological evolution to be achieved in the coming years. A close look is being taken at the hydrogen solution, although at the moment the state of the product makes it impossible to envisage its use for continuous production on a public utility asset.
The alternative may then be the solution of producing energy through gas and hydrogen mixtures, but even here there are some difficulties to manage with respect to the territory and the lack of a gas distribution system.
There is therefore a move towards a technological possibility of Bio LNG with hydrogen blends, the so-called ‘hydrogen ready’ plants.
Looking to the future and investing in Green solutions in various sectors is the main objective of DEUTZ Italy for the coming years.