China buys flexible combined cycle plant for wind

GE and Harbin Electric Co., Ltd. (HE) today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in which HE agreed to purchase GE’s newest breakthrough gas turbine featuring FlexEfficiency technology. As part of the MOU, HE plans to purchase four 9FB gas turbines from GE before the end of 2013, including two that will incorporate FlexEfficiency technology. The purchases are subject to HE being awarded projects, most likely for district heating applications in China.

“China is installing more wind turbines than any other country in the world and has plans to rapidly expand natural gas power generation. This creates an ideal environment for our new FlexEfficiency technology,” said Paul Browning, president and CEO—thermal products for GE Power & Water.

HE has been teaming with GE since 2003 to provide heavy duty gas turbines for projects in China, including the Gas Turbine Power Plants Construction Project, a centerpiece of the country’s efforts to meet its growing power requirements. In 2010, GE and HE expanded their relationship, forming a joint venture to serve China’s wind energy industry.

Below are flexibility features of the GE FlexEfficiency plant.

One push-button start capability of less than 30 minutes (without efficiency or part life penalties) for hot starts, along with reduced fuel burn and reduced emissions when compared with prior technology

• A start reliability of over 98%.

• Turn down to 40% without emission penalties

• Ramping of greater than 50 MW/minute and improved load-adjustment capabilities while continuing to achieve emissions guarantees

• Can maintain efficiency above 60 percent down to 87 percent load and at lower part loads