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March 28, 2007
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Midwest Energy Selects Burns & McDonnell to Design and Build 76-Megawatt Peaking Power Facility Near Hays, Kansas
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Midwest Energy Inc., has selected Burns & McDonnell to provide engineering design, procurement and construction services for a new 76 megawatt (MW) natural gas-fired peaking facility to be built just north of Hays, Kan. Midwest Energy’s new Goodman Energy Center will support demand for peaking loads by providing quick-start generation capability and backup power supply in the event of a transmission outage. Engineering design and equipment procurement for the $60 million project will commence immediately. Construction will begin in April 2007 and commissioning is expected by June 2008 in time to meet summer peak power demand.
The Goodman Energy Center will be built on property already owned by Midwest Energy, adjacent to the company’s Knoll substation, a location that is optimal for enhancing power reliability in central Kansas.
The facility will be powered by nine 8.4 MW Wärtsilä 20V34SG natural gas-fired engines equipped with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology to meet stringent regulations for flue gas emissions. The Wärtsilä engines are widely recognized for delivering outstanding heat rate efficiency at all loads, plus the ability to provide 25 percent power within two minutes and to reach full plant output within 10 minutes. Wärtsilä’s flexible power generating units are considered state-of-the-art for providing rapid response to a full range of grid conditions and employ a closed-loop cooling system that does not consume process water or require wastewater treatment or disposal.
In 2006, Burns & McDonnell assisted Midwest Energy in managing a request for proposals (RFP) for varying amounts of base load, intermediate and peaking generation capacity. Midwest Energy received 14 offers from nine different companies for base load, intermediate and peaking capacity. The Wärtsilä proposal to sell generating units for the Goodman Energy Center was selected as the lowest-cost option for peaking generation capacity.
Based in Kansas City, Burns & McDonnell provides engineering, architecture, construction, environmental and consulting services. Nearly 2,200 engineers, architects, scientists, planners, estimators, economists, technicians and other professionals work in 20 offices located throughout the U.S. and abroad. Founded in 1898, Burns & McDonnell is 100 percent employee-owned. For more information about Burns & McDonnell, visit its website at www.burnsmcd.com.
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