9 November 2006 -- Voith Turbo is supplying four mechanical variable speed drives for the German energy supplier RWE Power's expansion.

RWE Power is currently building two lignite generating units featuring optimized plant engineering and a gross output of 1,100 MW each. The work will take place at the Niederaußem BoA1 power station, which came into operation in 2003, on units 2 and 3. They will be used on the standby feed pumps.

The power station will be set up as a dual generating unit plant with a net output of 2 x 1,050 MW and will be one of the world's largest lignite power stations. The construction work prior to commencement of commercial operation will last until 2010.

By the beginning of 2008, Voith will deliver the mechanical variable speed drives for four standby feed pumps with an output of 13.5 MW each. They are designed to take over the load if the 37 MW main feed pump at the Neurath power station should fail.

The speed of the driven machine is adjusted depending on the required quantity and pressure. Compared to throttle control, it can bring savings in terms of both energy and costs.