MHPSA to supply three M501J gas turbines for GTCC plant in Virginia

Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Americas, Inc. (MHPSA) has received an order from Virginia Electric and Power Company (VEPCO) headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, for the supply of three M501J gas turbines.

(A Mitsubishi M501J gas turbine)

These turbines are likely to be installed at VEPCO’s Greensville County Power Station, subject to project approval by the State Corporation Commission. The three gas turbines will be manufactured and assembled at MHPSA’s Savannah Machinery Works, Savannah, Georgia, to support project completion by the end of 2018.

The new gas turbine combined cycle (GTCC) power plant combines the output of the three M501J gas turbines with a steam turbine, resulting in the largest new construction GTCC block in North America. The plant will utilize low-cost natural gas and produce approximately 1600 MW, enough to power over 400,000 homes.

Maintenance agreement

This is the third MHPSA advanced design gas turbine order placed by VEPCO over the last five years. The other two sites, Warren County and Brunswick County Power Stations, utilize three M501GAC gas turbines combined with a steam turbine. Warren County has already achieved commercial operation and Brunswick County will follow in 2016. All three sites are covered by an MHPSA long-term maintenance agreement to provide parts, repairs and maintenance services plus remote monitoring of vital operating data.

The M501J is said to be the most efficient large-frame gas turbine in commercial operation, with 17 turbines accumulating over 126,000 operating hours for six different owners. There are contracts for 36 Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems J class gas turbines, including six in North America.

The M501J is a result of the pioneering efforts of Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems in development of market leading, highly efficient gas turbine technology. It comes from 20 years of analysis, test and operation of 60 Hz gas turbines over 250MW. Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems leads all other OEMs in this class of turbine, with 116 units either in operation or under contract.

GTCC power stations use gas and steam turbines in combination, to generate electricity in two stages. They use electric power from the gas turbine, and then utilizing high-temperature exhaust gas from the gas turbine to produce the steam to drive the steam turbine. This configuration enables GTCC power plants to achieve a higher thermal efficiency, which in turn reduces fuel consumption and lowers emissions.