“Intelligence, imagination and knowledge
are essential resources, but only
effectiveness converts them into results”.
Peter Drucker
Ingeniería y Tecnología, S.A.
GHESA Ingeniería y Tecnología was initially constituted for the purpose of carrying out projects in the electrical sector, especially in power generation. The company subsequently
entered into a broad process of diversification aimed at other fields with synergies in terms of technology and management.
The creation of GHESA in 1963 was an initiative of electric utilities in Spain in collaboration with the American engineering company Gibbs & Hill, Inc. (NY) which took on the role of technological partner up until its share was sold to its Spanish partners in 1992.
In 1971, coinciding with the launch of the second phase of the Nuclear Programme in Spain, GHESA founded Empresarios Agrupados (EA) in collaboration with other Spanish engineering
firms, in order to concentrate capabilities and resources for
developing the design of nuclear power plants and other types of large-scale thermo-electric power generation projects. EA’s activities are managed through an Economic Interest Grouping called EA, AIE.
At present GHESA, with more than 600 employees, and Empresarios Agrupados, with global resources of roughly 1000 people, make up one of Europe’s most important engineering groups, with technological and management capacities for developing a wide range of complex projects whether on a national or international scale.
Fields of Activity
POWER GENERATION
•
FOSSIL-FIRED POWER PLANTS
•
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
•
COGENERATION
•
BIOMASS
•
SOLAR POWER
SINGULAR BUILDINGS
HOSPITALS
AIRPORTS
RECREATIONAL ENGINEERING
GHESA’s operations are based on a matrix-type organisation
with sufficient flexibility to adapt to most projects. Nevertheless,
a “task force” system is implemented in certain projects when circumstances so require. GHESA avails of the latest generation of computer tools to perform project activities: engineering, design, project documentation management, planning and scheduling, work progress monitoring and control, cost control and financial management. Its quality system complies with Standard ISO 9001-2008.
Organisation and Methods
GHESA provides a full array of services extending from consultancy to the Owner to complete performance of projects. These services include:
• Economic feasibility studies
• Site and environmental impact studies
• Official projects and management of permitting and licensing
processes
• Overall project management
• Conceptual, basic and detail engineering
• Architecture and urban planning
• Procurement management, expediting and inspection of supplies
• Construction management
• Quality management
• Testing and commissioning of the installations
• Training of operating staff
• Support for operation and maintenance
GHESA has extensive experience in the execution of turnkey projects with full responsibility for compliance with technical specifications, schedule, prices and quality.
GHESA’s extensive experience in the field of power generation encompasses
conventional thermal power plants burning fossil fuels such as different types of coal (anthracite, lignite, etc), gas and fuel-oil. These activities started with the
creation of the company in 1963. A major part of the power generating fleet in
Spain, and many power plants in other countries, have been designed by GHESA, either directly or through Empresarios Agrupados (EA). These plants account for a total of more than 36,000 MW of installed power.
The services provided in this field range from feasibility and siting studies up to
commissioning and testing of the facilities, also covering engineering support to operation and maintenance. GHESA has participated in the execution of turnkey projects of power generation plants, with overall responsibility as regards
compliance with schedules, fixed prices and technical guarantees.
Fossil-fired power plants
Meirama I Lignite-Fired Power Plant (Spain) (Siemens - Balcke-Dürr) 550 MW.
Mesaieed C.C. Power Plant (Qatar) (General Electric) 3x209 FA - 2,000 MW, natural gas. Lavrion V C.C. Power Plant (Greece) (General Electric) 109 FA - 400 MW, natural gas. Carbón II Coal-Fired Power Plant (Mexico)
Trillo Nuclear Power Plant (Spain) (Siemens - KWU) PWR 1,066 MW. Cofrentes Nuclear Power Plant (Spain) (General Electric) BWR Mark III, 1,095 MW. José Cabrera Nuclear Power Plant (Spain)
(Westinghouse) PWR 160 MW. GHESA’s activities in the nuclear power field commenced in 1964 with
its collaboration on the design of the first Spanish nuclear power plant,
José Cabrera (Zorita), which started commercial operation in 1968.
Since 1971, the company has channelled its activities in this field through
Empresarios Agrupados (EA), in collaboration with other Spanish
engineering firms. Through this channel, it has become one of the leading engineering firms worldwide in the nuclear power sector.
GHESA/EA has been the main or sole architect-engineer for six 1,000 MW nuclear power plant units built in Spain. It has conducted numerous consulting and engineering works in more than 20 countries, and has participated with General Electric and Westinghouse in the development of Generation 3 passive reactors. GHESA/EA is carrying out numerous and important design-related tasks in the framework of ITER, an interna-tional project on nuclear fusion for a facility currently under construction in Cadarache (France).
Nuclear Power Plants
Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant (Spain) (Westinghouse) PWR 2x1,040 MW.
The legislation of many countries establishes financial incentives to
promote the construction of power plants that also produce heat for
various applications. The goal pursued is to improve energy efficiency,
with the associated savings in primary energy consumption. This requires the participation of an industrial producer whose processes consume both electricity and heat. The producer can then place its electric power surplus on the grid at attractive regulated tariffs.
GHESA has extensive experience in this area, and provides a complete range of services, from feasibility studies to the turnkey construction
of facilities, including permitting and financing management, all in a
variety of industrial sectors.
Cogeneration
Papertech Cogeneration Power Plant (Spain) 8.5 MW, natural gas. Artajona Purine Treatment Power Plant (Spain) 15 MW, natural gas.
La Loma Biomass Power Plant (Spain) 15 MW, olive marc.
Viana do Castelo Biomass Power Plant (Portugal)
25 MW, wood chips. Briviesca Biomass Power Plant (Spain)15 MW, straw.
The European Union is promoting a policy of using biomass as fuel for power generation. It aims to promote energy crops, the use of agricultural and forest residues, or processes for the disposal of organic waste. The goal is to achieve savings in primary energy consumption, reduce CO2 emissions, eliminate or transform polluting wastes, while contributing to regional planning. National laws are introducing incentives in this direction, both in the form of investment grants and through regulated rates favourable for the sale of electricity.
GHESA has extensive experience in engineering and building turnkey biomass power plants, using different types of waste (forest, agricultural and vegetable residues) as biofuel, as well as biomass from energy crops. It has also developed projects involving
the gasification and digestion of organic waste.
Biomass
Miajadas Biomass Power Plant (Spain) 15 MW, straw and wood.
Spanish legislation applicable to renewable energy has encouraged the development of solar thermal plants for electricity generation. The goal is to achieve savings in primary energy consumption, reduce CO2 emissions and develop, in the broadest sense of the R&D, an inexhaustible energy source. In several countries legislation is supporting the technological advancement of solar thermal plants through grants and other incentives.
GHESA has designed solar thermal plants using distributed collectors or a central receiver (tower) system; services include basic and detail engineering, construction management and supervision, as well as testing and commissioning of the installations.
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There are currently numerous types of buildings for various applications which, owing to their nature and purpose, have a singular character. Their architectural characteristics are quite important, but these are only a fraction of the requirements to be met. Indeed, optimal functional performance is also required, as well as appropriate air conditioning, communications, automation, safety and, in general, facilities management. GHESA’s extensive experience translates into a large multi-disciplinary team supported by specialists in the various areas of expertise, who ensure proper project design and adequate balance between vanguard architecture and cutting-edge engineering. GHESA also has the capabilities to ensure timely execution of works within the cost and quality requirements established.
Singular Buildings
Valladolid Telecommunication Engineering School (Spain).
In the field of healthcare, GHESA has acquired significant experience in developing hospital projects of different characteristics, both for governmental and private authorities.
GHESA provides a series of services prior to the start of a Hospital or Healthcare Complex Project, such as basic studies and preliminary design, functional programmes and schedules, and investment plans. This process is usually followed by the basic project or the tender project. Once the project execution has been awarded, GHESA performs the detailed project for construction, including the definition and selection of all specialized equipment. These activities are complemented by overall project management and construction management, in which GHESA assumes responsibility for overseeing compliance with the budget, the schedule of execution of the works and the qualities specified.
Hospitals
Parla “Infanta Cristina Hospital” (Madrid - Spain). Coslada “Hospital del Henares” (Madrid - Spain).
GHESA’s services in this area range from airport planning to the management and supervision of the construction of airport facilities. Planning includes feasibility studies, master plans,
environmental assessment, traffic forecasts, the study of the
evolution of the different areas depending on future needs, the basic design of the airport, expected revenue, the construction budget and maintenance costs.
Once the project execution has been decided, GHESA proceeds to consolidate the basic airport design, using advanced
tools simulating aircraft, baggage and passenger traffic, for
the purpose of optimizing space and of reducing movement and waiting times. The construction project is then executed, including technological systems for automated baggage transport and movement of people. The project includes the design criteria and specialized systems to preserve and maintain the security of the facilities.
Airports
Madrid-Barajas Airport (Spain). (22-3) Aeropuerto de Madrid Barajas
Alicante Airport (Spain).
Barcelona-El Prat Airport (Spain).
Madrid-Barajas Airport (Spain).
Parque de la Reserva fountains - Guinness Award (Lima - Peru).
Sharjah cybernetic floating fountain (United Arab Emirates).
Tours Shopping Mall fountain (France). Matosinhos sculptural fountain (Portugal). Zaragoza 2008 Water Show (Spain).
Macau Bay cybernetic floating fountain (China). With more than 40 years of experience, GHESA offers all kinds of recrea
-tional projects and solutions featuring water, created for urban spaces, cultural complexes, shopping malls, theme parks, sports centres or large entertainment areas.
GHESA counts on a solid team of professionals able to provide creative and technologically innovative solutions, with the capabilities required for their successful turnkey construction anywhere in the world. Three thousand facilities in 25 countries support this experience, based on unique patented
technologies that translate into multimedia show fountains, floating
mega-fountains, interactive water features, water parks for children, ... all in original designs and varied scales.
Recreational Engineering
and Light & Sound Technology
Hospitals.
GHESA has designed a number of hospitals featuring the most advanced technologies in facilities and specialised equipment. GHESA has also acquired solid experience in the preparation of bids, basic engineering projects and execution projects, as well as in site management in 5 of the 11 major hospitals recently built by the Madrid Government’s Healthcare System.Airports.
GHESA has taken part in the development of a number of airports, including several ofthe largest ones built in Spain, including Terminal 4 of the Madrid-Barajas Airport, the Satellite of the
Prat-Barcelona Airport, the extension of the Malaga, and the Valladolid and Alicante airports.
Recreational Engineering and Light & Sound Technology.
Fountain Complexes.
Expo ’92 (Seville), Campo de las Naciones (Madrid), Parque de la Reserva (Lima, Peru), Princess Noura University (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia), etc.Spectacular Musical Fountains.
Royal Palace (Madrid), Macau Bay (China), Ibirapuera Lake (Sao Paulo, Brazil), Family Entertainment Centre (Bogotá, Colombia), Estoril Casino (Portugal), Al Khalid Lake (Sharjah, United Arab Emirates), Estero Salado (Guayaquil, Ecuador), etc.Water Splash Fountains.
In several European shopping malls (Heron City, Unibail Rodamco), Wembley Stadium (London, UK), in theme parks (Warner Parks and Parques Reunidos in Madrid), Cuña Verde (Puerto Rico), at the Real Madrid FC Sports Centre (Madrid), etc.Power Generation
Fossil-fired power plants.
GHESA/EA has designed 13 thermoelectric power units burning lignite, anthracite and coal, with a total installed powerof more than 4,000 MW, as well as 10 fuel-oil-fired units totalling more than 3,000 MW. GHESA/EA has also designed 37 gas-firing combined cycle
power plants totalling more than 23,000 MW. GHESA has also participated in the turnkey project of 3 combined cycle power plants totalling 1,600 MW.
Nuclear power plants.
GHESA/EA has been the main or sole architect-engineer for 6 nuclear power plants in Spain, totalling 6,000 MW. The company has participated in the design of numerous nuclear power plants in several countries, including consultancy services to the Owner for the construction of 26 new nuclear power plants in 15 different countries. EA is a member of the ENGAGE consortium, in charge of designing the auxiliary systems for the international nuclear fusion project ITER (Cadarache - France).Cogeneration.
GHESA has performed the engineering and design of 35 cogeneration power plants, for a total installed power of more than 500 MW. For 9 of these facilities, GHESA also undertook the responsibility of turnkey supply.Biomass.
GHESA has specialised in the design and turnkey supply of biomass power plants using different types of biofuels (almond shell, olive press cake, grape pomace, forest residues, corn straw, cereal straw and energy crops). These plants feature different combustion technologies (gratefiring, burners and fluidised bed) depending on the type of biomass. Nine
(9) biomass power plants have been built, totalling more than 200 MW.
Solar Power.
GHESA/EA has provided engineering services for different solar thermal power plants, featuring distributed receiver systems and central tower receiver systems, and different cooling technologies (mineral oil, steam, molten salts), for a total installed power of more than 200 MW.Singular Buildings.
GHESA has extensive experience in carrying outthe projects of numerous singular buildings designed for general and specific
purposes. Such buildings integrate technological facilities of different kinds, as well as public spaces and specialised work areas, as is the case for power plants, hospitals, airports, etc, and include large developed spaces with all auxiliary services. In this area, GHESA/EA’s participation in the design and construction supervision of the 23 large buildings housing various facilities of the ITER project in Cadarache (France) is worth highlighting.
