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Siemens awarded biomass CHP ugrade contract

PDM Group, part of Saria Bio-Industries is an innovative waste management and recycling company and the UK’s largest food-chain by-product recycler. The PDM Widnes plant is powered by carbon-neutral biomass. Energy produced by this process is sold into the National Grid. The new contract with Siemens is focused on upgrades, which will improve plant performance and enable PDM to qualify for Government CHP (combined heat and power) incentives. The contract is part of a larger plant modernization project.

Siemens commissioned the first turbine for PDM’s pilot plant in 2001 for the incineration and energy recovery process, enabling the sale of energy to the grid. PDM’s processes were very efficient and the plant was a success, which lead to the development of a new steam turbine in 2005 to work alongside the existing proven one. When PDM started to look at modernizing the plant, they looked to Siemens and the company worked with PDM from early 2011 to develop the best solution to meet requirements. The current project involves modernization of the plant and upgrades and modifications, including new nozzle rings, turbine wheels and valve seats for the two small steam turbines (1.2MW and 3.2MW).

“As a leader in our market, maintaining and improving the performance of our plants is critical,” said Rob Ratcliffe, director at PDM. “PDM needed a partner who could help deliver the kind of future performance we need. Siemens had both the reputation and track record in this area and the team impressed us with their focus on our issues and their knowledge and understanding of plant performance. We had confidence in the Siemens’ team, its approach and technology. “

Commissioning is expected by the end of December 2012.