Research director:
Dr. Andreas Georgoulias
Research core team:
Cristina Contreras, ENV-SP
Judith Rodriguez, ENV-SP
Case study written by:
Francisco Quiñones, Master in Architecture II 14′
US $320 million investment
Additional 270 MW to the existing 852 MW
Reduction of water required in 90%
Phase: Operation 2012
Sponsor: EnerSur
The Chilca UNO project consists of the conversion and modernization of a power plant to a combined-cycle operation, for the eco-efficient use of water and greater power generation. The facility is located in the Peruvian district of Chilca, in the province of Cañete, with a population of 14,500. In the past few years, Chilca has undergone an industrial transformation, with 40% of Peru’s electrical energy being produced by plants in this area. Despite the economic growth, the area faces important challenges such as safe, reliable access to fresh water.
In this context, the project included a desalinization plant to source water, reducing the exploitation of wells and avoiding use the scarce underground water. In addition, Chilca UNO is implementing a program to promote efficient water use by using aero generators instead of water for the cooling process. This will reduce the amount of water required from 80,000 m3/day to 1,500 m3/day. The project has also installed an additional 270 MW steam turbine to take advantage of the hot exhaust gases to generate 50% more energy, increasing the efficiency of the facility and reducing the emissions. Chilca Uno has other three gas turbines which, along with the steam turbine, have a combined capacity of 852 MW. The project sponsors are EnerSur, International Power, In-Fondo 2, and Rimac Internacional Compañía de Seguros.
For further info, download executive summary in EN|SP and full text in EN|SP.
