Biodiesel Test Expands GE Energy's Aeroderivative Gas Turbine Fuel Capability
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HOUSTON, TEXAS - September 21, 2007 :- The GE Energy LM6000® aeroderivative gas turbine expanded its fuel flexibility by demonstrating successful operation with commercially available biodiesel at Brookfield Power's Carr Street Generation Plant in Syracuse, N.Y.
GE Energy engineering confirmed that the unit at Carr Street was technically capable of operating on 99.9 percent biodiesel and then proceeded to identify a biodiesel that met the test protocol standards. Although biodiesel is biodegradable, the fuel handling and delivery procedures were the same as standard diesel fuel shipments to ensure that site environmental regulations were met. The New York State Research and Development Agency, along with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, was on site to conduct a third-party evaluation on the operability of this renewable fuel.
"This kind of collaboration demonstrates the exciting developments that can be achieved to provide economic, environmental and local solutions for our customers," said Charles (Chip) Blankenship, general manager of GE Energy's aeroderivative business.
The results of the data showed that the LM6000 combined-cycle plant could operate on biodiesel at various loads with similar, or better, characteristics to the petroleum diesel, on which the equipment has been operating. The emissions analysis showed lower than expected values for NOx and particulate matter, and the long-term economics will benefit from the fuels lack of sulfur, decreased NOx water usage and the fuels qualification for renewable portfolio dispatching.
The Carr Street General Manager Tony Zarella stated, "we are very pleased to have worked with GE on this fuel flexibility initiative and are in discussions on how we might further move forward, both environmentally and economically, in the near future."
Brookfield Power comprises the power generating and marketing operations of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. It has developed and successfully operated hydroelectric power facilities for almost 100 years. Brookfield Power's portfolio comprises over 3,800 megawatts of capacity and includes 143 hydroelectric power generating stations and one pumped storage facility located on 52 river systems, the largest wind farm in Canada and two thermal plants in northeastern North America.
About GE Energy
GE Energy (www.ge.com/energy) is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies, with 2006 revenue of $19 billion. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, GE Energy works in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; and other alternative fuels. Numerous GE Energy products are certified under ecomagination, GE's corporate-wide initiative to aggressively bring to market new technologies that will help customers meet pressing environmental challenges.
For more information, contact:
Ashley Houghton
GE Energy
+1 713 803 0371
ashley.houghton@ge.com
Gina DeRossi or Howard Masto
Masto Public Relations
+ 1 518 786 6488
gina.derossi@mastopr.com
howard.masto@ge.com
