Wärtsilä Debuts Mobile LNG Power Generation

A new liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage and regasification barge concept introduced by Wärtsilä's Marine Solutions and Energy Solutions businesses aims to provide a flexible means of meeting small- to medium-scale requirements where pure land-based LNG options are limited.

The Wärtsilä Mobile LNG can be combined with a barge-mounted power plant having an output capacity of up to 250 MW, or it can alternatively be used to supply conventional land-based power plants. According to Wärtsilä, this flexibility of location can bring clean energy to areas that have only limited or no access to the national electricity grid.

Timo Koponen, Vice President, Flow and Gas Solutions, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions, said, “Wärtsilä's solutions support the entire gas value chain, from drilling and production, to delivery, liquefaction, regasification storage and power generation. This latest innovation is one more important step towards completing our LNG infrastructure offering. Most existing facilities are geared for larger-scale users, whereas the Wärtsilä Mobile LNG offers a flexible and mobile option for small to medium requirements.”

Wärtsilä said its Mobile LNG has been developed for challenging locations where pipelines and large-scale LNG receiving terminals are not feasible, or where the quantities of LNG needed are smaller. It represents a solution for shallow water areas where access for larger vessels would not be possible. Compared to constructing conventional land-based terminals in difficult soil conditions and areas with an undeveloped infrastructure, the barge can represent lower capital investment and faster delivery. Furthermore, being mobile, it can be easily relocated, boosting resale value.

This new concept will be presented at the Gastech conference and exhibition being held October 27-30 in Singapore.