Datteln

With a net output of over 1000 MW of electricity, the use of combined heat and power and a total efficiency of up to 60 percent, the Datteln 4 power plant meets the highest requirements in terms of efficiency, economic viability and environmentally and climate-friendly energy production. It is one of the most advanced coal-fired power plants in the world.

The site at Datteln operates the world's largest rail frequency converter system for Deutsche Bahn. Any additional power generated is fed into the 50-Hz network owned by Amprion GmbH in order to supply the market.

Datteln 4 also generates district heating for more than 100,000 households in the region; this district heating is also supplied to hospitals and schools. Alongside the town of Datteln, the power plant supplies the Herne-Recklinghausen integrated network (Ostverbundnetz). This makes Datteln 4 one of the ten largest combined heat and power plants in Germany.

By applying latest technology for generating power and heat, Datteln 4 is among the most efficient, flexible and cleanest hard coal fired power plants operating to date. Due to it’s flexibility it can be ramped up and down in a very short timeframe and is thus ideally suited to ensure security of supply, when power from renewable sources is not available. 

Take a look at the below video to find out more about Datteln 4.

The Datteln 4 power plant features:

• A widely useable power range between minimum and maximum loads
• High controllability (fast load change up to 55 MW/min)
• High efficiency levels, even in the partial load range
• Short start-up times

The plant can therefore respond to the fluctuating supply of renewable energies as required. This flexibility enables the system to make an important contribution to network stability.