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When Finnish company Wärtsilä debuted this gas-powered, combustion engine in 2011, it described it as the largest such engine in the world. The Wärtsilä engine has an output of 17 megawatts.
Nine massive gas engines — nearly as long as a football field and as tall as a two-story building — have begun arriving in Omaha for installation in the new natural gas plant that OPPD is building in northwest Omaha.
These reciprocating internal combustion engines (similar to an automotive engine) have made their way from Italy to Omaha via ship, rail and now specialized truck-trailers.
From Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning, traveling at an average speed of less than 3 mph, the first of the engines was driven through Omaha’s streets to their final site. The 13.8-mile trip took five hours and 10 minutes, beginning at OPPD’s Elkhorn Service Center near 180th Street and West Dodge Road (where the engine had been brought via rail) and ending at the new Standing Bear Lake Station site, where it will be installed. The Standing Bear site is located near 114th Street and Military Road.
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The remaining eight will be transported to the site in the coming weeks, and OPPD says it hopes future trips will take less time.
District officials say the engines are needed to provide a nimble, staggered response to energy demand as the utility shifts to greater reliance on renewable energy.
In the past, this type of gas engine has made up a small share of utility scale generating capacity, but it is becoming more common as utilities shift to greater use of solar and wind power, according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency.
Unlike a coal furnace, each of these approximately 17-megawatt gas engines can be powered up and down quickly to respond to market conditions. Because there are multiple engines, OPPD can easily vary how much power it pulls from the plant.
The Standing Bear Station will be able to generate a net total of about 150 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 128,000 homes on average.
Finnish company Wärtsilä manufactures the engines, and their price is proprietary, according to OPPD. In the fall of 2020, when OPPD applied to the Nebraska Power Review Board to build this plant and its substation, the utility estimated that the total cost would be $257 million.
Known as 18V50DF reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE), these Wärtsilä engines have been on the market since about 2011. At that time, they were described as the largest such engines in the world.
The size of the engines has required OPPD to contract with specialized large equipment movers to get them through their final leg. Because the engines occupy more length, width and height than typical truck loads, Wärtsilä and OPPD also had to arrange a special route and take special measures. This included lifting traffic lights and power lines out of the way, removing some traffic signs and closing some roads, pushing the load from behind as well as pulling it, laying down wooden mats and blocking to protect sidewalks and curbs and getting traffic assistance from law enforcement.
The engine and the trailer it sat on measured about 248 feet long by 14 feet wide and 19 feet tall, according to OPPD. That’s about 80% of the length of a football field and essentially the height of a two-story building. Together, the trailer and engine weighed a combined 796,000 pounds, according to OPPD.
This is the first time that OPPD has installed reciprocating engines of this size in a power plant. (The utility’s landfill gas-to-energy plant at Elk City employs eight such engines that, combined, generate a third as much energy as one of the new engines.)
Multiple companies and agencies assisted the Omaha Public Power District on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning as it moved one of the largest engines in the world through Omaha to the site of a new power plant near 114th Street and Military Road. Here, employees of Commonwealth Electric Company of the Midwest monitor the engine as a crane lifts a traffic signal at 120th Street and Military Road so that it can safely travel the final few blocks.
Standing Bear is one of two new natural gas stations that OPPD is building. The other is the Turtle Creek Station, to be located near South 168th Street and Fairview Road in Sarpy County. Turtle Creek will generate about 445 megawatts of power using larger, more conventional natural gas turbines. Both plants will be able to fire up quickly, and Turtle Creek will be able to shoulder large loads while Standing Bear will allow for more gradual responses to demand.
In the past, these types of electric power facilities were known as peaking plants because they were used to quickly generate power on hottest days of the year when demand surges. However, because electric power generation is changing so much, they now have a more complex purpose and instead are called “balancing” plants. They will be used to provide power for multiple reasons, whether demand is surging due to hot weather or supply would otherwise lag due to a drop in solar or wind power. OPPD estimates the two plants will be used 15% of the year.
The two plants are scheduled to be completed in 2024, but because of issues with the grid, may not officially come online until 2026, according to OPPD.
OPPD has said these two natural gas plants, along with an estimated 600 megawatts of yet-to-be-built solar power, are considered essential to meeting the utility’s goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Omaha police investigate a homicide at 5209 Curtis Ave. on Tuesday.
The Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday. Northwestern won 31-28.
Nebraska's Chris Kolarevic (31) hooks onto Northwestern's Evan Hull (26) in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday.
Nebraska's Casey Thompson (11) passes the ball in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday.
Nebraska's Brendan Franke (92) watches ass he misses a field goal attempt late in the second quarter of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday.
Nebraska's Casey Thompson (11) warms up ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday.
Cherie and Steve Schemm, now living in Goes Netherlands, hand out with other Husker fans ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska in theTemple Bar District in Dublin, Ireland on Saturday.
Bellevue West’s Isaiah McMorris celebrates after scoring a touchdown during their game against Omaha North at Omaha Northwest High School on Friday.
Bellevue West’s Gio Contreras tries to escape a tackle during their game against Omaha North at Omaha Northwest High School on Friday.
Scott Frost, the Nebraska head football coach, leads some players onto the stage as thousands attend a Husker pep rally ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Merrion Square Park in Dublin, Ireland on Friday.
Thousands attend a Husker pep rally ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic between Northwestern and Nebraska at Merrion Square Park in Dublin, Ireland on Friday.
Isaiah Weber celebrates after recovering a fumble during their game against Burke at Burke High School on Thursday.
Isaiah Weber celebrates after recovering a fumble during their game against Burke at Burke High School on Thursday.
The Burke Bulldog is deflated during their game against Gretna at Burke High School on Thursday.
Gretna’s Harrison Weber tries to tackle Burke’s Rodney Whaley during their game at Burke High School on Thursday.
Gretna’s Isaiah Weber (left) gets tripped up by Burke’s Za’Kye Parrott during their game at Burke High School on Thursday.
Gretna players run toward Megan Marshall after she bunted in the winning run in extra innings during their game against Marian at Gretna High School on Thursday.
Gretna’s Alexis Jensen gets ready to bat in the eighth inning during their game against Marian at Gretna High School on Thursday.
Gretna’s Alexis Jensen celebrates after getting out of the top of the eighth inning during their game against Marian at Gretna High School on Thursday.
Jonathan Santana, a visitor experience ambassador, pours a pint during a tour at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, Ireland, on Thursday.
A pint at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, Ireland, on Thursday.
Nebraska players walk to the edge of the field following a Husker practice ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on Wednesday.
Scott Frost, Huskers head coach, and Nebraska players, from left, Brant Banks (74), Hunter Anthony (77) and Teddy Prochazka (65) arrive for a welcome dinner ahead of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland on Tuesday.
Vicky Perlmeter high-fives Daryl Kucera at MS Forward gym in Omaha on Tuesday, July 12, 2022.
Volunteer Kyle Hall (left) holds punching pads for LeAnne Denney (right) as Daryl Kucera cheers her on at MS Forward gym in Omaha on Tuesday, July 12, 2022.
Patti Hasty (from left), Patricia Kucera (Daryl’s wife), Daryl Kucera, Ann Sorys, and LeAnne Denney laugh while at MS Forward gym in Omaha on Tuesday, July 12, 2022.
Bellevue West head coach Mike Huffman talks to Isaiah McMorris (3) after he got a penalty following a touchdown in the Bellevue West vs. Omaha Creighton Prep high school football game at Omaha Burke High School on Friday. Bellevue West won the game 28-21.
Omaha Creighton Prep's Dean Donaldson (15) watches his team line up in the Bellevue West vs. Omaha Creighton Prep high school football game at Omaha Burke High School on Friday.
The sun sets behind the North Platte football team as they warm-up before the start of the third quarter against Papillion-La Vista South at Papillion-La Vista South on Friday, August 19, 2022.
Emmanuel Sekamana walks through his garden near North 40th and Parker Streets on Monday, July 25, 2022.
Emmanuel Sekamana uses a machete to harvest corn in his garden near North 40th and Parker Streets on Tuesday, August 2, 2022.
City Sprouts Program and Distribution Coordinator Laura Simpson (from left), Justine Niyonzima, Jackson Baez-Leonard, and Ahok Apayo take a break from harvesting Swiss chard and kale in the City Sprouts community urban farm as part of an internship program on Friday, August 5, 2022.
Suzana Nizigiyimana (left) and her daughters Suzana Ntirampeba (from left), Justine Niyonzima, and Marie Rose Byukusenge peel beans on their porch on Monday, August 8, 2022.
Suzana Ntirampeba (left) and Justine Niyonzima, peel beans on their porch on Monday, August 8, 2022.
Two purple martins look for space on a tree branch Wednesday as thousands of the birds land near 42nd and Farnam Streets.
A bird’s flight is illuminated by the moon. The peak of the purple martin migration in this area is usually in late August.
Thousands of purple martins and other birds fill the air near 42nd and Farnam Streets. Purple martins are returning to midtown Omaha in big numbers for the first time in several years.
FBI Director Christopher Wray speaks to journalists at the Omaha FBI office on Wednesday, August 10, 2022. Wray addressed threats made to law enforcement after agents raided Mar-a-Lago residence.
A brand-new variety of bio-engineered pink pineapple, called the Pinkglow" by Del Monte is causing a splash at stores and produce stands.
A brand-new variety of bio-engineered pink pineapple, called the Pinkglow" by Del Monte is causing a splash at stores and produce stands.
Volunteers roll Sarma in the Saints Peter and Paul's gym on Thursday.
Joann Pechacek stacks cabbage leaves after they have been deveined in the Saints Peter and Paul's gym on Wednesday.
Mary Mangiamelli moves a trays of meatballs she scooped to make Sarma in the Saints Peter and Paul's gym on Thursday.
Volunteers devein cabbage while preparing to make Sarma in the Saints Peter and Paul's gym on Wednesday. Sarma is a Croatian cabbage roll that the parish, located at 36th and X Streets, will sell at its 105th annual festival on Sunday, August 7th. They started with about 250 pounds of cabbage and 150 pounds of meat and hope to make about 900 Sarma.
Nebraska's Logan Smothers (8) passes the ball to Nebraska's Omar Manning (5) in a Husker football pre-season practice in Lincoln on Wednesday.
Nebraska's Ernest Hausmann (16) in a Husker football pre-season practice in Lincoln on Wednesday.
Nebraska's Ochaun Mathis (32) in a Husker football pre-season practice in Lincoln on Wednesday.
Addison Rist, 14, of Gretna, pours water on the ground to prevent dust and help the animals beat the heat at the Sarpy County Fair on Wednesday, Aug. 3.
Denise Lewis, director of programs at Fontenelle Forest, presents Orion, a live owl from the forest’s raptor refuge, intended to represent Forest Station Elementary School’s mascot, the Owls. The presentation of Orion took place during an open house Tuesday at the new OPS school in Bellevue.
nancy.gaarder@owh.com, twitter.com/gaarder
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Nancy Gaarder helps cover public safety and weather events as an editor on The World-Herald's breaking news desk. Follow her on Twitter @gaarder. Email: nancy.gaarder@owh.com
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The world of electricity is changing rapidly, and as a result, Omaha Public Power District is undertaking a multiyear review of how it charges for power.
Acknowledging impacts on public health, the Omaha Public Power District board voted unanimously Thursday evening to continue burning coal — for the near term — at its North Omaha power plant.
Multiple companies and agencies assisted the Omaha Public Power District on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning as it moved one of the largest engines in the world through Omaha to the site of a new power plant near 114th Street and Military Road. Here, employees of Commonwealth Electric Company of the Midwest monitor the engine as a crane lifts a traffic signal at 120th Street and Military Road so that it can safely travel the final few blocks.
When Finnish company Wärtsilä debuted this gas-powered, combustion engine in 2011, it described it as the largest such engine in the world. The Wärtsilä engine has an output of 17 megawatts.
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