A new dimension for the conversion of coal into electricity

The "Kraftwerk 50plus" is the first coal fired power station in the world with a net efficiency in excess of 50 percent. It is to go on line in Wilhelmshaven in the year 2014.

Approximately one billion Euro of investments, research that has been prepared with great intensity since 1998, a 4-year construction period – the 500 megawatts hard coal fired power station in Wilhelmshaven is the beacon project of the E.ON technology initiative "innovate.one".

With an efficiency in excess of 50 percent, the power station will set new standards with regard to the saving of fuels and the reduction of CO₂ emissions. Currently, the average efficiency of hard coal fired power stations amounts to 36 percent Europe-wide. Compared to this, the plant in Wilhelmshaven will discharge roughly 30 percent less CO₂.

Such an increase in efficiency requires the development of new materials – an innovative step in power station technology. Individual components made from the new materials that are based on nickel have already been successfully tested by E.ON in the test plant COMTES700 at the Scholven power station in Gelsenkirchen. However, until these can be used in a large-scale plant, further research and development work will still be necessary. The coastal site of Wilhelmshaven is particularly suited for such a plant. The necessary cooling water quantities can at any time be taken from the North Sea. They are available at lower temperatures all year long, which has a positive influence on the efficiency. A cooling tower is not necessary. In addition, it is possible for large seagoing vessels to directly supply the imported coal, which means that costs are saved. Preliminary planning will be concluded by the end of 2008. The final decision to build the plant will be taken afterwards. Procurement activities and further approval procedures will determine the work during the year 2009. Construction activities will start at the end of 2009. Already in 2014, the start-up of the most advanced power station of the world will open up a new dimension for the conversion of coal into electricity.