The Romanian cogeneration sector is now at one of the most promising turning points in the past decades, but this window of opportunity will not last indefinitely. The lack of decision from the authorities, some lack of information and appetite from the industry make this good fortune to be not yet exploited. Over 40 experts took part in the fourth edition of the Energy Breakfast Club series this year – “Cogeneration – Industry, Households and the National Energy System”, organized by energynomics.ro at the Cesianu-Racoviță Palace, in downtown Bucharest.

The market is waiting for the amendments to the cogeneration Law 325, and co-generation subsidies law to be completed. ”There have been many drafts… We are waiting to see the final form. This is one thing that will give confidence to investors for cogeneration solutions… I hope the new formula of the bonus will aim at investing rather than simply covering operating costs”, said Cristian Athanasovici, Business Development Manager, Kawasaki Gas Turbine Europe. For the moment, the Romanian industry, which could benefit from more than 65 million euros in European funds, through Axis 6.4 of the Operational Program for Infrastructure – POIM, did not come up with projects.

Kawasaki can also provide financing

As countries in the European community are moving towards renewable electricity generation and are looking to reduce pollutant emissions, equipment using classic fuels must be as efficient as possible for electricity generation, said Cristian Athanasovici.

DOWNLOAD THE PRESENTATION OF CRISTIAN ATHANASOVICI

“All the equipment and solutions we propose must be environmentally friendly – we militate, according to our vision, for the good of the planet. In this regard, Kawasaki has also developed equipment that burns 100% hydrogen”, said Athanasovici, presenting the company’s products; among these gas turbines (between 1.7 and 34 MWe), internal combustion engines (7.8 MW and 5.2 MW) respectively. Kawasaki is the only global manufacturer to provide both these cogeneration technologies.

“From the pre-feasibility stage, we ensure the implementation of the project and then long-term maintenance contracts. With the help of our partners, we also try to come with financing from the Japanese government”, Athanasovici added.

Stratum Enclosures exports most of its production

Stratum Enclosures produces in Romania equipment such as micro-cogeneration plants and e-charging stations, but the vast majority of them go for export, says Business Development Manager Bogdan Cojocaru.

“We produce micro-grids up to 2 MW. We produce energy where consumption takes place. Our engines can be diesel or gas, based on the customer needs, and we install such solutions all over the world, assuming our responsibility for turnkey solutions. But we mostly use wind or solar energy, which we store in batteries and deliver to the consumer site. We use more affordable VLRA batteries for which we can have up to 3,000 Ah, and we can make battery packs. The solutions are customized for each client and are modular. We come from the telecommunications sector and took the step towards the e-charging sector, alongside our partners in each country where we are active”, said Cojocaru, presenting what Stratum Enclosures produces at the Bucharest plant, for private clients, city halls or supermarkets. “Our equipment is very efficient and can be used successfully in Romania.”

DOWNLOAD THE PRESENTATION OF BOGDAN COJOCARU

“We tend to move towards the electromobility area, which we do with at the same time with cogeneration. Electromobility is growing in Romania. At present, there are over 10,500 hybrid, plug or electric cars in Romania. The next step is the electric bus charging area. We want all our solutions to be used in real traffic. Then the car sharing system will come, and the removal of internal combustion engine engines from major cities”, he said.

Automation from Control Point

Control Point was established in 2005, in Brașov, România. Now, the company wish having more projects locally. “At the moment, most of our projects are done outside of Romania,” said Daniel Bertalan, Control Point representative. He presented two examples of their contributions, one in Stendal Zellstoff – Arneburg and the other in Zielitz, Unterbreizbach, Hattorf, both in Germany.

DOWNLOAD THE PRESENTATION OF DANIEL BERTALAN

The Control Point Group has projects implemented in the thermal and hydro area, but also in other areas of the energy market. A Valmet partner in România, Control Point has 25 employees and is a provider of solutions for the energy market, especially in waste-to-energy, paper and pulp and biomass, biogas and automation. “We make electrical installations, from commissioning to maintenance and the last segment we entered is solar, where we are integrating photovoltaic solutions,” said Bertalan. They have also participated in several international projects for waste energy generation.

We need investment. Efficiency comes from investment

The new ELCEN-RADET reorganization plan will be subject to approval by creditors on July 9, Claudiu Crețu, ELCEN administrator, told. “The endless saga of ELCEN-RADET continues… Unfortunately, the legal status of ELCEN has not changed, and as far as the current situation of the company is concerned, we are preparing to operate for the cold season, we are doing all the repairs so that there will be no syncope in the next winter. We assure everyone that we will operate reasonably in the conditions we operate with four plants, and only one of which is modern, while two are from 1964. This year, we wil modernize the burners to meet the restrictions imposed by the European environmental norms,” Crețu stated. There is potential for cogeneration, he said, but consistency in implementation is needed. “Examples of good practices in cogeneration in Romania are few,” Crețu continued. “We need investment. Efficiency comes from investment…”, he said.

Energy Breakfast Club was organized by energynomics.ro and supported by our partners: Control Point powered by Valmet, Kawasaki Gas Turbine Europe Gmb, MET România Energy, Stratum Enclosures.

Over 40 representatives from AIIR Valahia, Aktron SRL, Alianța pentru energie regenerabilă, BCR, Bioterpena System Ltd., Bursa, Consiliul Concurenței, Control Point, Eco Solution SA, EFdeN, EFE Energy SRL, Electrocentrale București, EnergoBit, Gazeta de Sud, Grup Omir, ICI, INCDE – ICEMENERG București, Investisia Group, Kawasaki Gas Turbine Europe Gmb, Maria Art Group, MET România Energy, MGM Energo, Stratum Enclosures, TEB Energy Business, Trust Finance, Turbo Tech, UniCredit Bank, Uzinsider General Contractor attended the presentations and participated in discussions.

Participation

This year, energynomics.ro will organize a least 6 Energy Breakfast Club meetings. The schedule and the proposed themes for 2019 are available in the Energy Breakfast Club dedicated page.