Latest news with #Wartsila
Reuters
7 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Wartsila bets flexibility key for ethanol power generation in Brazil
SAO PAULO, May 29 (Reuters) - Finland's Wartsila( opens new tab is betting that a more nimble way to generate power with ethanol will prove viable in Brazil where similar efforts by major firms floundered a decade ago. Wartsila announced a partnership in March with a power plant in the northeast Brazilian city of Recife, where a four-megawatt engine will burn ethanol for 4,000 hours during a two-year pilot starting in April 2026. The Finnish company billed its efforts as a world-first trial in generating electricity with an ethanol-powered engine. But similar experiments by Brazilian corporate heavyweights Petrobras ( opens new tab and Vale ( opens new tab sputtered out amid high costs and low uptake, according to people who worked on those projects. Brazil is the world's second-largest producer of ethanol, after the United States, producing the biofuel largely from sugarcane and increasingly from corn. Brazil has used ethanol to power cars for decades, leading to volatile prices affected by sugar and petroleum markets. In 2010, Petrobras teamed up with General Electric, before the U.S. manufacturer split into three separate public companies, to convert a gas turbine at the state-run oil producer's power plant in Juiz De Fora to run on ethanol. "Ethanol was very sexy, everyone gets very hyped about it," a person with knowledge of the project told Reuters on condition of anonymity. The plant returned to running on natural gas shortly after the 1,000-hour test was completed, as higher costs made ethanol untenable as a fuel in the long run, the person added. Petrobras confirmed the turbine in Juiz De Fora now runs on natural gas. Vale Solucoes em Energia (VSE), a startup majority-owned by the mining giant, invested some $600 million in clean energy, including ethanol-powered electricity, VSE's former Chief Executive James Pessoa said in an interview. VSE built smaller ethanol-based generators for electricity which were used in Rio de Janeiro and Amazonas state, Pessoa said, adding that another was built at Brazil's Antarctic research station. VSE was shuttered by 2013. Pessoa said he had not seen any further development since then of ethanol-powered generators like those produced by VSE. "The technology exists," he said, adding that Brazil could have millions of heavy ethanol engines powering the country. "But in practical terms, there are zero (in operation)." Wartsila plans to test ethanol as a fuel for one of its 32M engines, which is larger than the VSE generators but far smaller than the plant converted by Petrobras, seeking efficiency at a more flexible scale. While running a turbine on ethanol 24-7 is more costly than natural gas, those plants cannot provide the flexibility needed by a grid like Brazil's, which is mostly powered by renewables, Jorge Alcaide, Wartsila's managing director in Brazil and head of its energy business in the southern America region, said in an interview. The engine will "follow the wind" and start up quickly when renewable sources like wind and solar fall off, said Alcaide. Wartsila declined to reveal its spending on the pilot. "Thermal power plants in Brazil should be used in the standby model," he said. "We need thermal to be available, it's like insurance."
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wartsila to supply cargo handling systems for ammonia carriers
Wartsila Gas Solutions, a business unit of Wartsila, has secured a contract to provide cargo handling systems for two very large ammonia carriers (VLACs) currently under construction at the Hanwha Ocean shipyard in South Korea. These vessels, each with a capacity of 88,000m³, have been ordered by a Japanese shipping company. The delivery of Wartsila's equipment is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of this year. Hanwha Ocean basic design team leader Lee said: 'We have good experience with Wärtsilä's cargo handling systems. 'Their support and quick reaction to our needs have always been much appreciated, and their systems are perfectly designed for these two VLACs.' VLACs are specifically designed to transport ammonia, which requires modifications to the cargo tanks and hulls due to the substance's high specific gravity. The vessels will feature reinforced structures and a deeper draught when fully loaded, according to the company. Wartsila Gas Solutions sales manager Patrick Ha said: 'Enabling decarbonised shipping operations is at the core of our strategy. 'This contract is an additional proof point for continuous successful strategy implementation, while reinforcing our strong partnership with Hanwha.' Recently Wartsila Underwater Services formed a strategic alliance with Greece's Megatugs to enhance underwater support solutions for the global shipping industry. This partnership aims to boost operational efficiency and sustainability for vessel operators by minimising downtime, reducing costs, and setting new standards in underwater service quality. Last month Wartsila unveiled plans to upgrade the RT-flex main engines on two bulk carriers owned by Turkish shipping company Ulusoy Sealines. This retrofitting initiative aims to improve the vessels' operational lifespan, performance, and fuel efficiency, ultimately reducing emissions. "Wartsila to supply cargo handling systems for ammonia carriers" was originally created and published by Ship Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wartsila, Megatugs join forces to enhance underwater shipping services
Wartsila Underwater Services has announced a strategic alliance with Megatugs, a maritime services provider based in Greece, to enhance underwater support solutions for the global shipping sector. This collaboration will focus on improving operational efficiency and sustainability for vessel operators, aimed at minimising downtime and reducing costs, and to establish new benchmarks in underwater service standards. The partnership will leverage the combined expertise and resources of both companies to deliver comprehensive underwater maintenance and repair services. Wartsila's proficiency in shaft line and propulsion systems will be complemented by Megatugs' experience in underwater services and salvage operations, providing a more proactive approach to vessel maintenance. The partnership will encompass a wide range of services, including inspections and maintenance of propulsion systems, rudders, hulls, and scrubber systems, as well as full-scale salvage and emergency repairs, available year-round and around the clock. Megatugs director Paul Xiradakis said: 'This partnership redefines underwater services, setting a new industry benchmark and ensuring seamless global support for shipowners and operators. 'Together, we're delivering smarter, faster, and more sustainable solutions to keep vessels moving and businesses thriving.' Key advantages of the partnership include improved operational efficiency through quicker underwater maintenance and environment-friendly cleaning and repair methods that comply with regulations. Other advantages include expanded global service coverage for rapid response in critical areas and the application of advanced technologies for accurate underwater diagnostics and repairs. Wartsila Underwater Services managing director William Winters said: 'Customer service is at the heart of everything we do. By joining forces with Megatugs, we're enhancing our ability to respond swiftly to emergencies and support our clients wherever they operate.' Last month, Wartsila announced plans to upgrade the RT-flex main engines on two bulk carriers owned by Turkish shipping company Ulusoy Sealines. This retrofitting initiative aims to improve the vessels' operational lifespan, performance, and fuel efficiency, ultimately reducing emissions. "Wartsila, Megatugs join forces to enhance underwater shipping services" was originally created and published by Ship Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Reuters
25-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Tariffs to hit Wartsila's battery storage unit, marine business more shielded
April 25 (Reuters) - Finland's Wartsila ( opens new tab said U.S. tariffs were impacting its battery storage business while rising trade tensions could push back clients' investment decisions, after its quarterly operating earnings missed market expectations on Friday. Shares of Wartsila, which builds ship engines and power plants, fell up to 4.5% in volatile early trading, but flattened by 0940 GMT. Wartsila's CEO Hakan Agnevall told Reuters that he saw no major direct impact from U.S. tariffs on the marine business, as its ship building operations and most of its customers are located outside of the United States. But the battery storage unit, the other leg of its energy business, faces a clear tariff hit as it ships a lot of materials from Asia to its U.S. facilities. "With significant import duties imposed on China, you could say that that market is basically at standstill, and it will probably remain standstill for a quarter or two," Agnevall said. Some 15% to 20% of Wartsila's sales come from the United States. Despite the tariff concerns, Wartsila said it expected demand in both marine and energy divisions to improve over the next year. RBC analysts said they were "somewhat surprised" about the positive expectations for the energy business. Wartsila, which offers systems and services for navies and governmental marine organisations, saw positive sentiment around Europe's rising defence spending, although Agnevall said it would take time for it to concretely affect the company. "From the starting point of budgets being allocated, then trickling through the system, then getting into concrete orders, and those orders materialized for revenue bottom line impacts. That takes time," he said. The navy business makes up less than 4% of Wartsila's overall sales. Its comparable operating earnings grew 29% to 171 million euros ($194.36 million) in the first quarter, while analysts polled by Vara, opens new tab were expecting 172.7 million on average. ($1 = 0.8798 euros)
India.com
21-04-2025
- Automotive
- India.com
This is world's biggest and most powerful engine! looks like 109,000 horsepower, it's used for…
The Wartsila RT-flex96C is the world's largest and most powerful diesel engine. Created by Wartsila, which is a Finnish company known for designing and manufacturing large-scale engines for ships and power plants. In 2005, Wartsila started a mission to construct the most powerful diesel engine ever made. They built an RT-flex96C low-speed diesel engine based on advanced common rail fuel injection technology. It also enhances fuel efficiency and reduces emissions. RT-flex96C Features Power Output: 107,389 horsepower (HP) Torque: Over 7,000,000 Newton-meters (Nm) Dimensions: 44 feet tall, 90 feet long (comparable to a four-story building) Weight: 2,300 tons Fuel Efficiency And Innovation Engine has 14 massive cylinders which consume 6.5 ounces of diesel per cycle, generating 5,700 kW of energy. In 2006, the first Wartsila RT-flex96C was installed in the Emma Mærsk , one of the largest cargo ships in the world. This ship can carry 11,000 20-foot containers with a speed of 31 knots. It is faster than the average 20 knots of similar engines. The high power output of the RT-flex96C gives quicker voyages because of which the Emma Mærsk can deliver cargo from China to the U.S. four days earlier than its competitors. 25 such engines are operating on various global shipping routes and 86 more are being built. Selective Catalytic Reduction reduces nitrogen oxide emissions up to 95%. Advanced Control Systems can match engine output and lower fuel consumption and emissions.
