GE Energy has introduced an upgraded version of its Frame 7FA 60Hz gas turbine. Employing what its maker calls 'next generation gas turbine technology' to increase output and efficiency, the upgraded turbine is designed to help power plant operators reduce their total cost of ownership and environmental impact by increasing the thermal efficiency of their fuel burn. The 7FA continues to be an industry workhorse – of the 1000 plus GE F-technology gas turbines shipped worldwide to date, more than 70% have been 7FA units.
GE is continuing to invest heavily in gas turbine technology development because it sees a growing industry trend toward the use of natural gas. A recent report by the Colorado School of Mines indicated that following recent discoveries, the United States now has 1800 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves, the equivalent of 320 billion barrels of oil. That available supply, coupled with the current low cost and the fact that burning natural gas produces less carbon dioxide than other fossil fuels, has spurred many power generators to consider switching from other fuels to gas.
GE cays that a typical power plant operating two new 7FA gas turbines with a single steam turbine in combined cycle configuration would achieve a fuel cost saving of more than $2.1 million per year at a natural gas price of $6 per MMBtu when compared to a similar plant with an earlier version of the 7FA for equivalent net plant output. This updated plant would avoid the emission of more than 19 000 metric tons of CO2 per year compared to the earlier version.
Although GE is not revealing the actual technology improvements that support its increased performance claims, it has apparently amassed them from technological advances across its range of power generating and aviation turbines.
There has already been some industry evaluation of the new technology. Some of the first new 7FA turbines are planned for the proposed Oakley power station in Oakley, California. The 586 MW plant is being developed by Radback Energy, Inc., and is expected to be transferred to Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) after it enters commercial operation.
Key regions for the upgrade unit will include North America, Latin America, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea. IIt is expected to begin shipping in early 2012 and will be manufactured at GE Energy’s gas turbine facility in Greenville, South Carolina.
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