- Exelon’s Wolf Hollow plant features GE’s largest 60-hertz H-class gas turbine for cleaner, more efficient gas power than other competing technologies
LAS VEGAS - December 12, 2017 - Exelon Generation’s Wolf Hollow Generation Station II combined-cycle natural gas-fired power plant (“Wolf Hollow II”), featuring GE’s advanced 7HA gas turbine technology, has been named “Best Gas-Fired Project in 2017” by Power Engineering.
Exelon Generation was announced as the winner before a full crowd during the opening keynote session at this year’s POWER-GEN International conference in Las Vegas on December 5. Finalists were selected based on four criteria: technological innovation, local impact, logistical challenges and creativity, and capacity. Editors analyzed dozens of nominations from representatives across the power generation landscape.
“Exelon Generation began commercial operation for our innovative new combined-cycle gas turbines (CCGT) at Wolf Hollow Generating Station II last year, and the unit adds approximately 1,000 megawatts of capacity to the ERCOT market. Using groundbreaking new technology, it’s one of the cleanest, most efficient such plants in the nation,” said Ron DeGregorio, president, Exelon Power. “We are proud to introduce new sources of environmentally friendly generation to help achieve a cleaner, brighter future.”
Exelon Generation, one of the largest clean energy producers in North America, ordered two GE 7HA gas turbines - GE’s largest and most-efficient 60-hertz gas turbines - in 2014 each to deliver over 1,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity to Texas’ energy grid. The combined-cycle power plant is one of two twin facilities designed and built for Exelon in Texas by Zachry Group, headquartered in San Antonio. The new plant achieved commercial operation (COD) in late 2016 and is now providing the equivalent electricity needed to supply 750,000 Texan homes.
GE’s HA gas turbines are the fastest growing fleet of gas turbines in the world, achieving more than 50,000 combined operating hours of proven experience globally. The 7HA’s fuel flexibility accommodates a wide range of gas and liquid fuels, including high ethane (shale) gas and LNG. The 7HA.02 gas turbine used in Wolf Hollow II offers standalone output of 330 MW per unit and a net combined-cycle efficiency of more than 62 percent, leading the industry with cleaner, more reliable and cost-efficient power generation.
"We are thrilled that Wolf Hollow II, featuring GE’s HA technology, has won the Top Natural Gas Project of the Year award, and we send our heartfelt congratulations to our long-time partner Exelon Generation,” said David Ross, vice president of sales for GE’s Gas Power Systems in North America. “Together we've delivered the first HA gas turbines in the U.S., and helped provide more flexible and efficient power to the people of Texas than ever before.”
Key features of GE’s HA technology at Wolf Hollow II include:
- First-ever application of GE’s side exhaust D602 steam turbine, reducing construction costs and complexity
- Ramp rate of 50 MW per minute
- Advanced turndown capability enabling plant turndown to less than 20 percent
- Modular and innovative design, saving over 10,000 installation hours, 40 percent fewer field connections and welds, and a 98 percent reduction in field installed valves compared to similar projects
Exelon’s commitment to innovation in the energy industry extends beyond the 7HA technology. GE and Exelon are partnering on other innovative software solutions. In November 2016, Exelon Generation and GE announced an enterprise-wide software agreement to deploy GE’s full suite of Predix software applications across the company’s generation fleet.
Most recently in October 2017, GE announced a partnership with Apple unveiling a new Predix software development kit (SDK) for iOS platforms, empowering developers with tools to create industrial IoT apps for customers.
*Predix is a trademark of the General Electric Company
About Exelon Generation
Exelon Generation, a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), is one of the largest, most efficient clean energy producers in the U.S., with a generating capacity of more than 35,500 megawatts. Exelon Generation operates the largest U.S. fleet of carbon-free nuclear plants with 20,300 megawatts of capacity from 23 reactors at 14 facilities in Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. Exelon Generation also operates a diverse mix of wind, solar, landfill gas, hydroelectric, natural gas and oil facilities in 18 states with more than 15,200 megawatts. Exelon Generation has an industry-leading safety record and is an active partner and economic engine in the communities it serves by providing jobs, charitable contributions and tax payments that help towns and regions grow. Follow Exelon Generation on Twitter @ExelonGen, view the Exelon Generation channel on YouTube, and visit: http://www.exeloncorp.com/companies/exelon-generation.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is the world’s Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the "GE Store," through which each business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure, and intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry. www.ge.com
About GE Power
GE Power is a world energy leader that provides technology, solutions, and services across the entire energy value chain from the point of generation to consumption. We are transforming the electricity industry by uniting all the resources and scale of the world’s first Digital Industrial company. Our customers operate in more than 150 countries, and together we power more than a third of the world to illuminate cities, build economies and connect the world.
For more information, visit the company's website at www.gepower.com. Follow GE Power on Twitter @GE_Power and on LinkedIn at GE Power.
About Zachry Group
Zachry Group is America’s pace-setter in turnkey construction, engineering, maintenance, turnaround and fabrication services in the power, energy, chemicals, manufacturing and industrial sectors. It works with customers to plan, build and renew their most critical facilities, so they can achieve their immediate and long-term goals, all at the highest standards of safety and quality. Zachry Group operates 35 offices with more than 22,000 employees working in more than 400 locations across North America. Visit www.zachrygroup.com for more information.
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Contacts
Thomas Millas
GE Power
+1 910 515 7873
[email protected]
Bill Harris
Exelon Generation
+1 512 542 7812
[email protected]
Tom Millas
GE Power
[email protected]
+1 910 515 7873
+1 910 515 7873