Reaching for 60 Percent

Abstract

The General Electric (GE) H turbine system in Wales is designed to be 60% thermally efficient. The Welsh installation will serve as a springboard for two other installations, planned for New York State and Tokyo, so that the technology will span three continents. The 480-megawatt H system in Wales is designed to be the first gas turbine combined-cycle system in the world to achieve 60% thermal efficiency. The main advantage provided by efficiency is economic, because fuel represents the largest single expense in running a fossil-fueled power plant. GE engineers based much of the H design on proven turbine technology, starting with the high-pressure compressors. Another advantage GE intends to stress in marketing its H turbines, along with fuel economy and environmental performance, is their greater power density.