Two GE "HEAT(TM)" Advanced Steam Turbines Hit 20,000-Hour Milestone
o Seven Units Now in Service in Both 50- and 60-Hertz Applications
o Power-Gen International 2008
o Booth #4600
ORLANDO, FLORIDA-Dec. 3, 2008-Two GE HEAT(TM) (high efficiency, advanced technology) steam turbines have surpassed 20,000 hours of operation at power plants in California and Ireland, GE Energy reported today at Power-Gen International 2008. The achievement is widely regarded as an industry milestone for proving reliability of the turbines.
Introduced in 2002, GE HEAT steam turbines improve plant efficiency and output for GE's F-class combined-cycle technology, leading to a lower cost of producing electricity, a critical factor for success in today's power generation industry. Seven of the HEAT steam turbines currently are in commercial operation in natural gas-fired, combined-cycle power plants in the United States and Europe, encompassing both 60-hertz and 50-hertz applications.
One of the milestone HEAT steam turbines is operating as part of a 60-hertz, GE 107FA combined-cycle system at the Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) Magnolia facility in Burbank, Calif. Since entering commercial operating in 2005, this unit has compiled 20,170 hours of reliable service as of mid-November, while also exhibiting dependable start-up capabilities.
The second HEAT steam turbine to surpass the 20,000-hour milestone is installed at the Tynagh Energy Plant in County Galway, Ireland. This plant is supplying up to 120,000 homes with reliable electricity and is helping to change the economic face of Galway and the western seaboard of Ireland.
Of the remaining five HEAT steam turbines in operation, two are 60-hertz units at the SRP Santan plant near Phoenix, Ariz. and the Treasure Coast 1 power plant in Ft. Pierce, Fla. Three are 50-hertz HEAT turbines, including one unit at the Teverola plant in Caserta, Italy and two at the Plana del Vent plant outside of Barcelona, Spain.
Four of these plants-SCPPA Magnolia, SRP Santan, Tynagh and Plana del Vent-have received "Power Plant of the Year" awards from leading trade industry publications over the last several years.
"As illustrated by our HEAT technology, GE continues to improve our line of steam turbines, in response to industry requirements for more efficient, reliable power production," said Rich Kehl, combined-cycle steam turbine product manager for GE Energy. "We are extremely pleased with the acceptance of our HEAT technology by the industry and with the strong performance of these machines in the first seven applications."
The HEAT steam turbine incorporates numerous advancements over earlier GE steam turbines, including a reaction-based high-pressure turbine design capable of 2400 psi operating pressure, which contributes to improved steam turbine performance. Integral covered buckets and nozzles ensure a high-quality steam path.
Abradable coating and brush seals developed in conjunction with the GE Global Research Center minimize internal leakage while maintaining tight clearances. Extensive analysis and validation testing prior to its first application helped ensure the reliable operation of the HEAT technology.
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 2007 revenue of $22 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.
About GE
GE is a diversified global infrastructure, finance and media company that is built to meet essential world needs. From energy, water, transportation and health to access to money and information, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com. GE is Imagination at Work.
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