Japanese plant enters Guinness World Records for efficiency
GE has announced that the Chubu Electric Nishi-Nagoya power plant Block-1 – powered by GE’s 7HA gas turbine – has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s most efficient combined-cycle power plant, based on achieving 63.08 percent gross efficiency. In addition to the HA gas turbine, the plant utilizes Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions (ESS) Corporation’s steam turbine and generator technology, and optimal overall plant system design and construction were achieved by Toshiba ESS.
In June of 2016, GE Power and EDF were acknowledged by Guinness World Records for delivering the world’s most efficient combined-cycle plant in a 50hz segment, powered by the 9HA turbine. The facility, in Bouchain, France, achieved an efficiency rate of 62.22 percent net efficiency and was also the world’s first combined-cycle plant equipped with GE’s HA turbine.
GE supplied three 7HA.01 gas turbines to the Nishi-Nagoya Block-1 power plant, which provides more than 1,188 megawatts (MW) of power to the grid, the equivalent power needed to supply approximately 2.7 million average homes in Japan. GE’s HA gas turbines are the fastest growing fleet of gas turbines in the world, and have achieved more than 88,000 operating hours of proven experience globally.
The 7HA’s fuel flexibility accommodates a wide range of gas and liquid fuels, including high ethane (shale) gas and LNG. Additionally, the 7HA can ramp up to full load in less than 30 minutes allowing for greater grid stability with renewable and alternative energy sources. The efficiency gains should help Chubu Electric reduce fuel costs and CO2 emissions.
GE supplied three more 7HA.01 gas turbines to Block-2 of the Nishi Nagoya facility, which is expected to achieve commercial operation at the end of March 2018. Japan along with the U.S. represent the largest 60Hz energy regions. GE already has two similar power plants fully commissioned in Texas that use 7HA technology, with many others coming online this year. Around the world, we will bring more than 30 HA units into commercial operation in 2018.
