A unique journey: Two gas turbines on their way from Sweden to the USA

It will be one of the most sustainable fossil fuel-based power generation facilities in the US

The Holland Energy Park combined cycle power plant in Michigan. The plant’s core will consist of two industrial gas turbines and an industrial steam turbine of type SST-400 made by Siemens. The two gas turbines of type SGT-800 have now begun their journey from Finspong, Sweden, to Holland in Michigan.

No job for wimps: Moving 130 tons

Each of the two gas turbines, which are destined for the Holland Energy Park, weighs about 85 tons. The weight of the trailer adds another 45 tons. Thus, the driver must maneuver 130 tons of weight. As he tells it, this was difficult at the beginning, but after a few years the run has become routine. By now, he has completely memorized the 30-kilometer-long route from the gas turbine production plant in Finspong to the port in Norrkoping on the Baltic Sea coast. Only a few companies can offer the heavy-load transportation capability required for the SGT-800. Before the heavy-haul rig reaches the highway, it passes by the Siemens building one last time. The drive only takes an hour to reach the port, which is only twice as long as the trip would take in a car. The truck reaches the port accompanied by yellow pilot cars in front and back that clear the road ahead and notify other vehicles to take caution. This first part of the journey always takes place the same way, says Eric Westman, the forwarding manager. The remainder is then different every time.

It’s all about preparation

Every industrial turbine manufactured in Finspong goes on its own journey, and possible destinations include for instance the US, Asia, and Africa. Every shipment must be planned and prepared in extreme detail, and various official permits are always required, explains Westman. After all, it must be ensured that all roads and bridges can accommodate transportation to the intended destination.

The destination of the unique journey: The Holland Energy Park

With an electrical capacity of 145 megawatts, the new combined cycle Holland Energy Park in Michigan w is expected to start power generation in spring 2017. The plant replaces an old coal-fired power station and will reduce carbon dioxide emissions at the location by about 50 percent. And the power plant will not only provide power but also heat for the municipal snowmelt system. The need to spread salt and operate snow plows will be almost entirely eliminated – a further benefit for the environment.

What is more for nature? The power plant building will be partially built from recycled materials. Surrounding nature preserves and wetlands will be restored in the course of plant construction. With this project, the Holland Board of Public Works intends to supply the city with electricity in a sustainable manner for the next several decades.

Next stop: The port of Detroit

In the meantime, the industrial gas turbines for the Holland Energy Park have arrived in Norrkoping. Very slowly, two cranes load them on to the ship. Employees in Finspong have worked almost a year on each machine. The turbines will now spend some three weeks at sea until they arrive at the port of Detroit.

More information and interaction

Accompany the journey of the gas turbines on Twitter! Follow @Siemens_Energy to keep up to date.

If you would like to know more about our SGT-800 industrial gas turbines in the meantime, you can find plenty of facts at here. Or discover here, on TheEnergyBlog, how Thailand’s industrial success is fueled by decentralized energy generation relying on Siemens’ SGT800 gas turbines.

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