IEN: What are the major power and energy concerns facing industry in the next few years?
GE Power Systems: The major energy concerns in the next few years will likely involve environmental and transmission-reliability issues.
From equipment suppliers to power plant owners and operators, those involved in today''s global energy industry must make a firm commitment to cleaner methods of producing electricity. Worldwide, air emissions regulations and other environmental restrictions are becoming increasingly stringent. While renewable energy options such as wind or hydro power play a significant role in the drive for cleaner energy production, traditional power industry offerings such as gas and steam turbines are operating at higher fuel efficiencies than ever before with less impact on the environment. The pursuit of greater fuel efficiency is crucial because it translates into lower emissions per megawatt of power produced. Several outstanding issues also confront the nuclear energy industry in particular, including the storage and transportation of nuclear waste.
Transmission reliability is another major policy concern. Such questions have helped to boost the profile of the distributed generation/onsite power programs around the world.
IEN: What innovations in systems, equipment and components, software and services can help reduce energy consumption and increase efficiency in plant operations?
GE Power Systems: In 2003, GE made several major advances in the areas of systems, equipment and components, software and services. GE Power Systems'' most significant product launch of the year was for its H system, the world''s most advanced, combined cycle system and the first capable of breaking the 60% efficiency barrier. It integrates the gas turbine, steam turbine, and heat-recovery steam generator into a seamless system, optimizing each component''s performance. The designed technology for both 50 and 60 Hz applications, the H system delivers higher efficiency and output to reduce the cost of electricity of this gas-fired, power generation system. (Photo shows a GE 9H gas turbine being prepared for testing at GE''s factory in Greenville, SC.)
The H is capable of breaking the 60% efficiency barrier, while maintaining adherence to the strictest low Nox standards and reducing CO2 emissions, due to its closed-loop steam cooling system. Open loop, air-cooled gas turbines have a significant temperature drop across the first-stage nozzles, which reduce firing temperature. By contrast, the H''s closed loop system allows the turbine to fire at a higher temperature for increased performance, yet without increased combustion temperatures or emissions levels. The benefits are considerable. A large, natural gas-fired combined cycle plant configured with the H system could realize fuel cost savings of $2 million a year compared to today''s most efficient combined cycle plants, which operate in the range of 57-58% efficiency.
The first H system began commercial operation at the Baglan Bay Power Station in Port Talbot, Wales in the summer of 2003.
On the software optimization front, in May 2003, GE completed the first installation of its GenGauge software, providing real-time cost of generation information to allow better dispatch and unit commitment decisions by power producers. By contrast, in the past, customers had to rely on cost-of-generation data based on long-term averages and estimates, updated monthly or even less frequently. The system, installed for a well-known U.S. utility, collects and analyzes information from 12 units at three sites. GenGauge is expected to save the customer more than $5 million annually. After being installed for just two months, the utility announced plans to use GenGauge at all of its coal-fired sites. (A GE MS9001H gas turbine is seen here during assembly at GE''s Greenville, SC factory.)
IEN: What are the latest advances in audits, utility monitoring/analysis services, equipment diagnostics/maintenance, and HVAC retrofitting? Also with power supplies, power quality?
GE Power Systems: GE launched a variety of initiatives showcasing its equipment services and monitoring systems in 2003.
In the equipment and maintenance services arena, GE continued to expand its successful short-cycles initiatives program to cover not only its gas turbine business, but for steam turbine customers as well. The initiatives include customer service agreements (CSAs) and faster price quoting as well as parts delivery and installation. Faster delivery means greater profitability to customers through reduced inventory, greater maintenance flexibility, and savings due to the reduced amount of time needed for a costly shutdown. Through its CSA program, GE assumes a share of the risk of maintaining a given plant''s equipment in exchange for a set contract price and duration. For the customer, the CSA offers better budget forecasting and added savings. For example, by utilizing its vast expertise in energy systems on behalf of a customer, GE can more accurately predict when a certain part actually needs to be replaced.
In addition to its GenGauge program, GE made other advances in monitoring systems, include its latest Data Acquisition and Handling System, the NetDAHS. Announced in November 2003, the system promises to alter the landscape of the air-monitoring industry by enabling authorized access to emission monitoring data at any time -- and from any PC. By shifting from a PC-based application to a web-based architecture, NetDAHS allows accurate data to be shared and monitored by any authorized personnel. Increasing access to real-time emission information -- updated every 10 seconds -- establishes a new standard for the industry.
In June 2003, GE also announced its Outage Advantage program, a comprehensive range of premium maintenance services for gas and steam turbine and generator outages. The program combines GE''s existing maintenance services with a menu of enhanced, integrated services covering the entire outage cycle, which can be customized to meet the needs of power generation and large industrial customers. The new offering includes technology for pre- and post-outage performance evaluation, diagnostics and system tuning, including remote tuning of Dry Low Nox (DLN) systems. It also incorporates a full range of emissions testing, monitoring and control solutions that can lead to increased power plant profitability.
GE Oil & Gas is also tapping into the growing demand for more efficient, automated controlling and monitoring systems for reciprocating gas compressors and related equipment. By using GE''s remote-controlled systems, customers have a more centralized ability to monitor their equipment, thus generating savings through increased operational efficiency, reliability, and safety. The advanced, automated systems also generate savings by boosting production parameters and reducing manual-labor costs as well as expensive, sometimes unneeded maintenance shutdowns.
IEN: Will distributed generation/onsite power, cogeneration, fuel cell technology and isolated power, play an increased role in meeting the industry''s power needs? How and when?
GE Power Systems: Yes. Such approaches offer customers the potential of independent, reliable power supplies and reductions in energy costs, including from the high total efficiency of cogeneration. The demand is already growing as more countries expand their renewable energy portfolios due to environmental regulations and restrictions. In addition to environmental pressures, concerns about power transmission reliability have also spurred private- and public-sector interest in onsite power solutions.
(Photos courtesy of GE Power Systems)