Alstom is now offering an upgraded version of its GT26 gas turbine, capable, says the company, of achieving over 61% efficiency in combined cycle mode, while at the same time delivering a high level of operational flexibility. The first machine is currently under test at Alstom's Birr test power plant.
The GT26 upgrade has mainly focused on "evolutionary modifications" to the compressor (bringing Rolls Royce aviation experience to bear through a long standing technology sharing agreement), to the SEV (2nd stage) combustor, and to the LP turbine. The LP modification, which is retrofittable to existing GT26 units, has been successfully validated at the Castejon combined cycle plant in Spain.
The 500 MWe KA26 combined cycle facility, which uses the GT26, can be parked on-line at around 20% load and ramped back to baseload in under 15 minutes.
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