Enecogen , Netherlands: Reliable flexibility for a weather-driven energy market

Back in 2011, Siemens Energy delivered the Enecogen gas-fired power plant in Rotterdam as a turnkey project, with Omnivise T3000 as its digital backbone. Since then, Enecogen has evolved from a traditional baseload facility into a highly flexible hybrid power plant, supporting grid stability in the weather-driven Dutch energy market.

As the Dutch energy market increasingly incorporates variable renewable sources like wind and solar, the Enecogen power plant needed to evolve from a traditional base load facility into a flexible resource capable of actively supporting grid stability. The plant needed the ability to ramp up and down on a near-daily basis to balance fluctuating renewables, provide essential black start capabilities to independently restore the grid after blackout events, and prepare for hybrid operation with integrated battery energy storage systems. All requirements had to be met without compromising high operational efficiency and while adhering to stringent cybersecurity standards required for critical infrastructure.

Siemens Energy delivered a comprehensive turnkey solution built on the Omnivise T3000 control system. This advanced distributed control system forms the digital backbone of Enecogen, integrating all key assets into a single control environment. The plant, commissioned in 2011, comprises two single-shaft combined cycle units powered by Siemens SGT5-4000F gas turbines and SST5-5000 steam turbines, together providing 958 MW capacity, enough to supply power to about 1.4 million Dutch households. Both units are operated via a shared Omnivise Edge server, upgraded in 2023.

Omnivise T3000 integrates the gas and steam turbines, black start unit, electrical houses, and the upcoming battery storage system into a unified control architecture. This enables automated black start procedures, precise and rapid load ramping, real-time diagnostics, and predictive maintenance. The system supports up to 200 starts per year with minimal wear, ensuring operational reliability. Designed for critical infrastructure, it complies with IEC 62443 cybersecurity standards, further enhanced by Tenable OT network monitoring for early detection of anomalies.

Enecogen is recognized as one of Europe’s most efficient and least polluting gas-fired power plants, achieving approximately 60% efficiency and low CO₂ emissions. Siemens Energy´s integrated control and cybersecurity solutions and the long-term partnership allow Enecogen to operate as a highly flexible, hybrid-ready power plant capable of balancing the intermittency of renewables and supporting grid stability even when its units are offline, through the planned battery storage integration. The plant’s black start capability ensures independent power restoration within an hour, making Enecogen a critical asset for the Dutch electricity grid. Its operational flexibility, high efficiency, and robust cybersecurity measures ensure Enecogen reliably supplies clean, resilient electricity aligned with future energy market demands.  Siemens Energy’s continuous 24/7 expert support further strengthens Enecogen’s ability to adapt to evolving operational and regulatory challenges.

Siemens Energy has been Enecogen’s trusted partner for more than a decade, driving flexibility, efficiency, and digital transformation. Today, Enecogen stands as a benchmark for the future of energy—combining operational resilience, advanced technology integration, and autonomous capabilities to navigate market volatility. Its journey demonstrates how strategic partnerships and innovation enable hybrid-ready power generation and secure, sustainable operations.