Project 3 – Bellefontaine Powerplant (Martinique)

Project 3 – Bellefontaine Powerplant

Context and Key points

In Martinique, the energy efficiency policy helped stabilize the growth of electricity consumption. In parallel, renewable energies are developing, but it is mainly photovoltaic, whose production is intermittent.
Thus, the EDF group, through its subsidiary EDF Electricité Insulaire (EDF PEI), has invested in the construction of the new Bellefontaine power plant. This production tool is at the heart of the supply / demand balance of the Martinique power system by rapidly adjusting its production as needed. It presents 2 main advantages:

provide real-time guaranteed energy (stable) to meet the daily needs of the island.
cover consumption peaks, in addition to other means of production, thanks to engines that start quickly.

The new plant in a few figures :

12 diesel engines with a total capacity of 220 MW
60% of local electricity needs covered
100 permanent employees
1,000 people mobilized simultaneously on the construction site and 200 companies (88 of which are located locally)

Genset Commissioning

Commissioning of 18V48/60 MAN Diesel engines and Jeumont alternators :

System checks and preliminary inspection for erection completion
Blanc test of equipments and sensors
Partial tests with medium, on Engine, Alternator and auxiliaries, testing of sequences
Functionnal tests of Genset unit, running at nominal speed and load, adjustments

220 MW

Power Output

June 2014

Operation Date

12 x 18V48/60

MAN Diesel Engines

450.000.000€

Budget

Grid Tests

Controling of Engine behavior on electrical grid :

Load steps response testing
Voltage variation for reactive load full range test (min to max)
Load rejection test
Stability on operating limits testing

Common systems commissioning

Ventilation system :

Engine hall Intake/Outlet ventilation system with louvers

Full automation checks

This post is also available in: French