EthosEnergy to Supply Block Transformer for Enea Polaniec’s Unit 9

EthosEnergy and EEP signed a contract for the supply of a new 290 MVA block transformer to connect a power plant to the grid. The transformer, which has a voltage of 400 kV, will be installed on Unit 9—the Green Block—which uses biomass fuel for operation. EthosEnergy will deliver the block transformer in 2026, and it will satisfy the transmission network’s operational requirements to ensure optimal performance of the power plant.

"Safety of energy production is a priority for us. The new block transformer we will introduce to our plant will not only increase the efficiency and effectiveness of our operations but also enable us to work at a high level,” said Jacek Janas, President of Enea Polaniec. “This is a step towards ensuring the stability of our production, which is crucial for delivering energy reliably and safely."

Block transformers help to continuously and reliably transmit electricity from power plants to the power grid for consumption. The transformer’s configuration enables power extraction from units 5, 6, and 7, improving regulation and lengthening the operational life of these assets. It will improve energy transmission efficiency at the Polaniec power plant, saving 1,500 MWh of electricity per year.

290 MVA block transformer; Image Credits: EthosEnergy

"EthosEnergy, with over 40 years of experience in the energy sector, has become a trusted partner,” said Jerzy Król, Director of the Repairs Division at Enea Połaniec. “The contract includes not only the delivery of the transformer but also the necessary calculations, design, and compliance with all norms and requirements related to the transformer's operation."

EthosEnergy recently opened its operations and maintenance (O&M) performance center in Houston, TX, in March 2024. The O&M center provides continuous real-time start-stop capabilities, asset monitoring and diagnostics, and the support of EthosEnergy engineers to assist a power plant’s long- and short-term energy operations.

“Over EthosEnergy’s history, we have maximized the reliability of assets under our purview using extensive experience and robust policies and procedures,” said Terry Schoenborn, EthosEnergy’s Senior Vice President of O&M. “Our customers have benefited from this approach, with independent industry data showing our average Equivalent Forced Outage Rate to be at least 1% lower than peer operators on most plants. The Performance Center builds upon this, benefiting both new and existing clients through the use of 24/7 real-time data and secure pre-emptive monitoring technology. This gives our team full visibility and start-stop control of a plant’s assets, minimizing downtime, and leading to fewer unexpected costs while maximizing profitability.”

The center’s operators control start-stop operations with an encrypted, cyber-secure VPN designed to comply with NERC CIP Medium protocols. In addition, operators can leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect early warnings of reliability and performance issues. Early detection can minimize forced outages and unplanned maintenance.

The company also released an assessment tool in August of last year—EcoView. It is a lifecycle assessment solution for gas turbine rotors, providing comprehensive environmental insights across each phase of the rotor lifecycle. These evaluations quantify the carbon and financial reductions that can be achieved from maintaining existing equipment compared with purchasing new.