MHPS’s T-Point 2 enters commercial operation with 60 Hz gas turbine

MHPS’s T-Point 2 combined cycle power plant validation facility entered full commercial operation with an enhanced JAC gas turbine, which the company says set the record for output and efficiency. The T-Point 2 plant was commissioned in March at Takasago Works in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, to replace MHPS’ original T-Point plant.

MHPS validates its new gas turbine technologies and digital solutions under long-term grid-connected operation for a minimum of 8,000 operating hours, which is equivalent to nearly one year of normal operation and is a key insurance industry criterion for fleet reliability.

MHPS’ most advanced JAC gas turbine, designed for efficiency and lower emissions, is now integrated with MHPS-TOMONI digital solutions for verification and validation at T-Point 2. The gas turbine is entering commercial operation at record-setting combined cycle efficiency greater than 64% and a world’s first turbine inlet temperature of 1650°C.

This gas turbine reduces carbon emissions by 65% versus coal-fired plants. In addition, it has the capability for conversion from natural gas to a blend of natural gas with 30% renewable hydrogen to reduce emissions further. Eventually it will be capable of running on 100% renewable hydrogen to eliminate carbon emissions.

The digital building blocks of the autonomous power plant being validated at T-Point 2 include an advanced Automatic Plant Startup package that is closely linked to the advanced analytics and diagnostics that continuously monitor the total plant. To validate complete remote operation, operations will be transferred from the local control room to the Takasago Remote Monitoring Center.

Operations and maintenance building blocks under evaluation include an array of acoustic, video, and thermographic data acquisition sensors monitored by advanced analytics that are being trained to identify pattern changes. T-Point 2 is also evaluating the first Netmation 4S Digital Control System to be used on an advanced class gas turbine combined cycle plant.