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Press Release

New Industry-Leading GE Technologies to Help Accelerate Gas-Powered Energy Producers into Leading Role of Fulfilling U.S. Power Needs

December 10, 2014
  • With Natural Gas Projected to be Leading U.S. Fuel Source by 2035, GE’s New Dry Low NOx 2.6+ Upgrade Can Help Plants Lower Fuel Costs, Slash Emissions up to 40 Percent
  • GE Customer Orders First DLN 2.6+ Combustion Solution to Deliver Power More Reliably, Cost-Effectively
  • Higher Performance Capabilities of Advanced Compressor Solution Can Better Position GE Customers For 350+ Gigawatts of New Generating Capacity Needed by 2040

ORLANDO, FLA.-December 10, 2014-GE (NYSE: GE) introduced two new breakthrough technologies today to better position its 7F gas turbine customers to play an integral role in meeting current and future energy demands. GE engineered these solutions-the Dry Low NOx (DLN) 2.6+ Combustion and Advanced Compressor upgrades-for its customers with installed assets to help them deliver their power generation commitments more profitably, flexibly and with a significantly lower emissions footprint. These technologies are the latest additions to GE’s Power FlexEfficiency* portfolio of upgrade solutions that harness the combined power of hardware innovations, advanced software and data analytics capabilities.

“Natural gas is a vital energy fuel source in the U.S., and by 2040 the demand is expected to increase up to 28 percent,” said Paul McElhinney, president and CEO of GE’s Power Generation Services business. “These solutions will provide our customers with the operational flexibility to quickly respond as their needs evolve over time. As we continue engaging with our customers and analyzing the possibilities for the future energy landscape in the U.S., it’s clear these two solutions can have considerable positive impact.”

The DLN 2.6+ solution, announced at the POWER-GEN International trade conference, can deliver broader operational flexibility for GE customers with installed 7F gas turbine assets. With the capability to burn up to 25 percent ethane or propane from shale gas, plants operating with this technology have more options to purchase fuel based on composition, as well as price, to help them save on fuel costs. This solution also provides customers with the option to burn up to 20 percent hydrogen. All three fuel sources can be used while maintaining low emissions.

GE’s first order for 7F DLN 2.6+ upgrade technology has been placed by a Midwest U.S. power plant to deliver power to its communities more reliably and cost-effectively. The plant is adopting this technology to lower its operational costs and better position itself for current and future power capacity needs in the region it serves.

7F DLN 2.6+ technology also enables GE customers to reduce their NOx emissions up to 40 percent and operate as low as sub 5 ppm NOx. Every system installed will equate to planting approximately 75 acres of trees or taking approximately 125 cars off of U.S. roads. The upgrade can also help GE customers operate continuously for industry-leading durations up to 32,000 hours or 1,250 starts[1] between required maintenance intervals. This equates to approximately four years for typical continuous-duty plant operation. GE adapted this well-proven solution from its global 9F gas turbine fleet, which has operated with the technology for more than 1.5 million hours.

Customers can blend this advanced technology with GE’s OpFlex* controls software to further reduce both emissions and fuel costs. By complementing DLN 2.6+ with OpFlex Turndown software, a GE 7F.04 gas turbine customer operating at minimum load for 500 hours per year can reduce their CO2 emissions by 3,800 metric tons annually, which is the equivalent of taking 750 cars off the road. At the same time, this hardware-software combination, operating under the same conditions, can save over $300,000 a year in fuel costs at an average natural gas price of $4 per MMBTU.

Advanced Compressor Solution

GE also is introducing the new Advanced Compressor upgrade, a solution that can help 7F gas turbine customers shape their long-term asset management and operational strategies. Installing this technology on existing GE 7F units can help them break new performance barriers in output, efficiency and operational availability. With 350+ gigawatts of new U.S. generating capacity needed by 2040, GE’s customers can adopt this technology to better position themselves to meet future commitments with their existing assets.

With Advanced Compressor technology, GE customers can increase their output as much as 12 percent while improving operational efficiency up to 2 percent. This additional capacity can help GE customers capture new revenue streams, as well as deliver more power during peak periods. This performance boost can be fully achieved once installed or expanded over time as surrounding plant assets are upgraded or replaced.

GE engineered this solution to help its customers reduce their outage frequency and durations for maintenance. With advancements including field replaceable compressor blades, operational downtime can be significantly compressed. The Advanced Compressor also features component innovations, including 3-D aero airfoils and variable stator vanes to improve efficiency and a reduced 14-stage rotor for better durability and lower maintenance costs.

While new as an upgrade solution, the Advanced Compressor is proven technology already in operation on GE’s 7F.05 new gas turbine units. To date, more than 75 7F.05 machines with this technology have been selected by GE customers. GE developed the solution’s higher performance and engineering innovations from more than 50 million hours of its 7F fleet operation and data-driven insights globally.  

Learn more from Stefan Maier, Product Manager, GE F-Class Gas Turbine Services

 

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About GE Power & Water

GE Power & Water provides customers with a broad array of power generation, energy delivery and water process technologies to solve their challenges locally. Power & Water works in all areas of the energy industry including renewable resources such as wind and solar, biogas and alternative fuels; and coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy. The business also develops advanced technologies to help solve the world’s most complex challenges related to water availability and quality. Power & Water’s six business units include Distributed Power, Nuclear Energy, Power Generation Products, Power Generation Services, Renewable Energy and Water & Process Technologies. Headquartered in Schenectady, N.Y., Power & Water is GE’s largest industrial business.

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[1] Performance can be achieved when combined with GE’s Advanced Gas Path solution.

Swati Joshi
GE Power
[email protected]
+1 678 844 4078
+1 678 427 9427

Michael Goldstein
GE Power
[email protected]
+1 678 844 6653
+1 770 356 9695


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