Unit 8 of the Rheinhafen Power Plant (RDK8) is, to date, the largest single line coal fired boiler plant power station constructed in Germany. RDK 8 is designed for a gross electrical rating of 912 MW. Depending on heat demand, up to 220 MW thermal capacity can be extracted for supply to Karlsruhe’s municipal district heating network. The plant attains an efficiency of 46% through high steam parameters (600 or 620°C turbine inlet temperature), high condenser vacuum and high internal efficiencies of steam turbine, generator and transformer. The district heating extraction raises capacity utilisation to 58%.

Fichtner are general planner for the entire project acting as Owner's Engineer for the multi-lot procurement. In the first phase, our services encompassed a review of concept, time scheduling and permit engineering, tendering, contract award and coordination of around 33 contract lots, coordination of the lots for which contracts had already been awarded (boiler/turbine island and flue gas cleaning equipment), and general coordination of all lot contractors. During the second, construction management, phase Fichtner provided programme management and detailed engineering, production of tender documents, contract award and coordination for over 60 lots in total, general coordination of all lot suppliers, supervision of construction and installation and supervision of commissioning and monitoring trial operation.