GE Unveils GE-Alstom Steam Turbine Solution to Help European Combined-Cycle Power Plants Boost Their Efficiency

• GE’s New Enhanced Steam Path (ESP) Upgrade Solution to Boost Efficiency and Output of Existing D-10 and D-11 Steam Turbines
• New ESP Solution Represents First Integrated GE-Alstom Design Steam Path, Taking Advantage of the Engineering and Manufacturing Expertise of Both Companies
• Advancement Illustrates GE’s Enhanced Service Offerings Following Alstom Acquisition in 2015

GE’s Power Services business (NYSE: GE) introduced a new Enhanced Steam Path (ESP) upgrade solution to help utilities and industrial operators boost the efficiency and output of their existing combined-cycle power plants. The ESP upgrade solution for D-10 and D-11 steam turbines operating in Europe and other 50-hertz regions represents the first integration of steam turbine technologies of GE and Alstom Power, which GE acquired in November 2015. The new solution was announced during POWER-GEN Europe 2016, the European power generation industry’s annual conference that is being held in Milan.

“The global financial disruption that began in 2009 reduced the electricity demands of many European industrial customers, creating an even more competitive sector on a capacity basis with existing power plants,” said GE’s Paul McElhinney, president and CEO of GE’s Power Services business. “As a result, utilities are seeking new ways to increase the flexibility of their older, baseload combined-cycle stations to allow them to respond more quickly to changing grid demands. We are pleased to introduce our new ESP solution that combines GE and Alstom’s steam turbine technology for the first time to help operators improve the performance of their power plants.”

The ESP solution for 50-hertz applications builds on the success that GE has found with its initial ESP solution for D-11 steam turbines in 60-hertz regions, which the company introduced in the United States in December 2015. The latest ESP incorporates an integrated HP/IP steam path with advanced aerodynamic, thermodynamic and mechanical design including a welded rotor construction for improved reliability.

With the latest ESP solution, GE now offers utilities a greater selection of options to help increase the efficiency, reliability and availability of their existing steam turbines. The new ESP can also be combined with GE’s legacy Shell Warming System and OpFlex* Agility. The Shell Warming System promotes faster steam turbine start times by helping to eliminate cold starts and improve warm starts. The OpFlex Agility digital controls system also enables faster starts for steam turbines while enhancing predictive condition monitoring in order to balance combined-cycle start time needs with steam turbine life goals.

Benefits of the new solution:

·         Greatly reduces the risk of outage extension for repairs to the HP/IP steam path.

·         Helps extend turbine life with new rotor and diaphragms.

·         Delivers over 2 percent increase in steam turbine output (in the same bottoming cycle) from recovery of aging losses and improved technology.

·         Improves sustained performance.

The new ESP solution also is part of GE’s broader commitment to enabling utilities and industrial operators to deploy the latest digital technologies to increase plant performance and reduce their operating costs. In September 2015, GE unveiled its Digital Power Plant solution, a revolutionary software and hardware solution that creates a virtual “digital twin” of an entire industrial power plant complex.

To further enhance the reliability of its globally installed fleet of steam turbines, GE also offers utilities real-time monitoring, which is an important factor when steam plants are used as a source of ancillary power, requiring them to quickly ramp up generation more frequently than they were originally expected to do.  Without effective monitoring and control of key plant processes, fuel consumption may be inefficient, emissions may increase and equipment life may be impacted.

About GE

GE (NYSE: GE) is the world’s Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the “GE Store,” through which each business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry. www.ge.com

About GE Power

GE Power is a world leader in power generation with deep domain expertise to help customers deliver electricity from a wide spectrum of fuel sources. We are transforming the electricity industry with the digital power plant, the world’s largest and most efficient gas turbine, full balance of plant, upgrade and service solutions as well as our data-leveraging software. Our innovative technologies and digital offerings help make power more affordable, reliable, accessible and sustainable.