Parker Hannifin, a specialist in control technologies, and GE have secured a major contract to supply key equipment for a new ‘mega–scale’ data centre. GE Vernova is to supply 29 aeroderivative gas turbines to power the centre. The LM2500XPRESS dual–fuel machines, each rated at 35 MWe, will be deployed at the Stargate Site 1 project in Abilene, Texas.
The project has been specifically designed to help end users meet rapidly growing power demands, reduce reliance on the local grid and improve on-site energy security, a critical priority in the data centre sector.
Covering more than 1 GWe of generation capacity, the deal will see Parker Hannifin deliver complete combustion and ventilation air intake filtration, power augmentation and acoustic silencing systems for the turbines. Its scope of supply includes the filter house and filtration system together with its state-of-the-art cartridge filters, said to be capable of providing ‘superb filtration performance’ while maintaining steady and predictable pressure loss throughout its life and across an operating temperature range of -60 to +50°C.
Performance in dusty environments with high ambient temperatures are a core requirement for the filtration system and a key characteristic of the Parker ‘clearcurrent’ range of products. In addition to the filtration system, Parker is also supplying every air intake with power augmentation in the form of recirculating water evaporative coolers and noise control through high performance acoustic silencers. The cooler supports improved thermal performance, recovering lost GT efficiency during periods of hot ambient temperature while the design of silencer ensures the combustion and ventilation air intake noise levels meet the environmental restrictions of the site.
Commenting on the contract, Pete McGuigan, market manager, Filtration & Energy Solutions Division, Parker Filtration Group, said: “Data centres need flexible and reliable power 24/7 but rightly expect that performance to be delivered in the cleanest way possible. Aeroderivative gas turbine packages utilising local associated gas reserves are among the cleanest energy creation technologies available today but rely on effective filtration packages, including air intake cooling and acoustic silencing, to ensure long-term performance with minimal environmental footprint.”
