Power efficiency at a whole new level

Dubai - Middle East placing strong emphasis on enhancing flexibility and sustainability

There is a surge in demand for power in the Middle East as the region's population increases and public and private sectors drive further industrial development. Alongside new investments in power infrastructure, the region is also placing a strong emphasis on enhancing the efficiency, flexibility and sustainability of new and existing power generation assets and running across these themes is the requirement for solutions that pay for themselves.
GE Power has been in the region's energy sector for over 80 years and GE-built technologies generate up to half of the GCC's electricity, according to sources at GE. The technical aspects of the operation were explained during a media tour organised by GE Power at its Belfort Power Generation Centre of Excellence in France, Power Services Global Headquarters in Baden Switzerland, and Birr Service Centre in Switzerland.
A highlight of the tour was an introduction to GE's game-changing technologies, including its HA technology, the world's most efficient heavy-duty gas turbine and its advanced gas path (AGP) gas turbine upgrade solution, which is being deployed across power plants worldwide to improve operational productivity.
 
Unlocking a new era
Interestingly, GE's HA technology has helped deliver two world records: one for powering the world's most efficient combined-cycle power plant, based on achieving 63.08 per cent gross efficiency at Chubu Electric Nishi-Nagoya Power Plant Block-1 in Japan (60Hz), and another for helping EDF's Bouchain Power Plant achieve 62.22 per cent net combined cycle efficiency in France (50Hz). With these achievements, GE's HA turbine has been recognised for powering the world's most efficient power plants in both the 60Hz and 50Hz energy segments. Recently, GE announced that HA is now available at more than 64 per cent efficiency in combined cycle power plants, higher than any other competing technology today.
"Efficiency matters as an additional percentage point of efficiency in gas turbines can translate to millions in yearly fuel savings for customers globally," says Steven Hartman, chief technology officer for GE's Power Services business.
Such accomplishments serve as an excellent fit for the Middle East as the region strengthens efforts to enhance efficiency. GE's HA technology is the fastest-growing fleet of heavy-duty gas turbines today, with more than 75 units ordered to date by over 25 customers across more than 15 countries, including the US, Bahrain, Mexico, Brazil, Pakistan, Japan, China, France and others. The turbine enables the greater use of renewable energy by enabling quick responses to fluctuations in grid demand and weather changes. As the UAE looks to generate 44 per cent of its power from clean energy by 2050, GE's HA technology offers a very good complement to intermittent supplies of renewable energy.
 
Advanced gas path solution
GE's AGP solution is helping to deliver higher levels of efficiency, output, outage intervals, and flexibility while lowering maintenance costs for users, allowing them to better utilise existing assets.
"It has delivered significant market-based benefits around the globe, including providing about 7GW of additional power capacity and is helping to generate nearly 19.4 million additional MWh of power a year. The AGP technology can deliver short-cycle financial returns for power producers, including a 3-year individual customer value of up to $6 million and when combined with dry low nitrogen oxide combustion technology, more than $12 million, according to sources at GE.
Scott Strazik, president and CEO of GE's Power Services business, says: "AGP is delivering benefits on a global scale to our customers in mature markets such as the US and Western Europe, where efficiency and flexibility are crucial. At the same time, AGP is helping our customers in growing markets like the Middle East, Africa, Asia, China and Eastern Europe, where they need more megawatts for industrial use and the grid."
GE's AGP technology has been installed on 435 units, generating $775 million a year in benefits to power producers and the markets they serve in 39 countries on five continents. With AGP upgrades, GE 9F gas turbines can achieve up to an 8 per cent output increase and up to a 2 per cent efficiency increase, whereas GE 6F gas turbines can realise up to a 4.2 per cent output increase and up to a 1.2 per cent efficiency increase. GE's 9E gas turbine operations with AGP upgrades have achieved up to a 6.2 per cent output increase and up to a 1.7 per cent efficiency increase. All these turbines are widely deployed in the Middle East and the AGP solution is being implemented across the region to enhance gas turbine performance outcomes.
As the dynamics of energy markets continue shifting - including the mix of fuel sources and payment structures for power producers - GE is responding to customer needs by innovating with new performance enhancements on the AGP solution targeted to specific operational needs.
Adds Paul Wise, executive operations leader of cross-fleet solutions for GE's Power Services Business: "Cross-Fleet is GE's approach to servicing power assets from other OEM manufacturers. Birr is key to this offering, as GE's main centre for repairs for non-GE gas turbines in Europe. Birr is a core asset to GE's manufacturing and service activities and one of the most advanced repair research centres in the world."
- suchitra@khaleejtimes.com