GE's First LMS100® Enters Commercial Operation at South Dakota Plant
HOUSTON, TEXAS-July 5, 2006-GE Energy's first LMS100® simple-cycle gas turbine power plant entered commercial operation this month at Basin Electric Power Cooperative's Groton Generation Station located near Groton, S.D.
The LMS100 has successfully completed the following commissioning requirements:
o 12-minute start capability to full power
o Synchronous condenser operation
o Demonstration of guaranteed output, heat rate and emission levels
In addition to meeting these contractual requirements, the LMS100 has also demonstrated the ability to achieve full power from a cold metal start within 10 minutes.
Plant construction began at the Basin Electric site in August 2005 with delivery of the gas turbine generator set in November 2005. First fire was achieved in April 2006 with full-load operation in May. The LMS100 has accumulated 138 hours of operation and 48 starts to-date.
Basin Electric's LMS100 unit is fueled by natural gas from the Northern Border Pipeline and is connected to the existing substation operated by the Western Area Power Administration. It will be operated for summer and winter peaking. Electricity will be transmitted to rural electrical systems, which transmit power to cooperatives in northeast South Dakota.
GE Energy's LMS100 provides a single, economical solution for a variety of dispatch needs. A combination of proven frame and aeroderivatve gas turbine technologies, the LMS100 delivers 100 megawatts with thermal efficiency from 44 to 50 percent. The turbine offers a wide range of operating flexibility for peaking, mid-range and base-load operations with 10-minute start times, unmatched hot-day performance, load following and cycling capabilities.
Part of GE's ecomagination portfolio, the LMS100 reduces CO2 emissions by more than 30,000 tons when compared to a typical simple-cycle 100-megawatt gas turbine plant over the course of an average 2,184 hour peaking season. That is equivalent to the CO2 emissions created by more than 5,000 passenger cars in the United States each year. This same CO2 reduction is equal to the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by approximately 7,400 acres of forest.
GE Energy's aeroderivative division is a leading supplier of aeroderivative gas turbines and packaged generator sets for industrial and marine applications. The company provides power-generating equipment to utilities, industries and marine fleets throughout the world. It is also the world's largest and most experienced aeroderivative gas turbine service provider.
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 2005 revenue of $16.5 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:
Dennis Murphy
GE Energy
+1 678 844 6948
dennis.murphy@ps.ge.com
Gina DeRossi or Howard Masto
Masto Public Relations
+1 518 786-6488
gina.derossi@mastopr.com
howard.masto@ps.ge.com
