The co-generation plant produces sufficient electricity and steam to increase milk processing, with excess electricity exported to the electricity grid for national distribution.
As part of a major expansion project that would treble milk treatment to eight million litres per day, the Te Rapa dairy factory needed a lot more electricity and steam. Estimated final demand was 24MW of electricity and 180 ton/hour of steam, far outstripping the capacity of the installed coal boilers and 4MW of generation.
A cogeneration plant was the logical solution. Recognising that there would be a surplus of electricity and that electricity generation and distribution were not a core part of their business, the dairy company looked for a generation partner to build and own the co-generation plant, and to dispatch the excess electricity to the national electricity grid.
Beca was commissioned by Contact Energy to draw up the technical specifications, assess and select bidders, and provide owner's Engineer services during the construction.
Contact Energy installed the 45MW gas turbine with a 170 tonne/hour heat recovery boiler. As part of its services, Beca designed the Grid interface, conducted a design review of the co-generation plant and mobilised a multi-disciplinary team to help with project closeout, testing and certification.
Contact Energy benefited from access to Beca's team of multi-disciplinary specialists who scoped the project, helped safe guard the client's interests, and helped complete the plant so that it could be put into service.