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Home > About Us > Press Center > 2004 Press Releases : Press Release |
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GE Energy to Launch 7H Gas Turbine Technology in Hydro-Quebec Production Project 800-Megawatt Class Power Plant Planned for 2007 Operation ATLANTA, GEORGIA (January 13, 2004) — The world’s first application of GE Energy’s 7H gas turbine technology - the 60-hertz version of GE’s advanced H System™ - will be an 800-megawatt class, combined-cycle project with Hydro-Quebec Production, the generation division of Hydro-Quebec, an international leader in power generation, transmission and distribution. The new facility, to be built at Beauharnois, Quebec, southwest of Montreal, will be based on two GE 107H combined-cycle systems. The gas-fired plant, named Suroit, will help Hydro-Quebec meet a growing need for energy in its markets. It is expected to enter commercial service in mid-2007. “We are extremely pleased that Hydro-Quebec has selected GE and the H System for this project,” said John Rice, president and CEO of GE Energy. “We recently celebrated the successful completion of validation testing and the commercial launch of our 9H, the 50-hertz version of the H System, at Baglan Bay in South Wales. Now we are teaming with Hydro-Quebec for the next power industry milestone: the first commercial project for the 60-hertz 7H system.” Canada’s and Québec’s commitment to the Kyoto Protocol was one of the determining factors in Hydro-Quebec’s selection of H technology for the new plant. Because of its high efficiency, the H System offers significant benefits in environmental performance. For every unit of electricity produced, the H System will use less fuel and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to other large gas turbine combined-cycle systems. Today’s most efficient combined-cycle plants have hit a plateau in the 57-58% efficiency range; the H System moves beyond that point by offering a system that is capable of 60% while also providing a platform for continued evolutionary improvements in combined-cycle efficiency. While the H System employs today’s most advanced technology, it benefits from millions of hours of GE gas turbine experience. It also is the most thoroughly tested product introduction in GE Energy’s history. Developed by GE as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Turbine System program, the H System features an innovative closed-loop steam cooling system which enables the higher firing temperatures required for increased efficiency. In addition to the steam cooling system, GE engineers designed the H turbine’s first-stage buckets and nozzles with single-crystal materials to withstand higher temperatures over a long service life. Much of the H design, however, is based on turbine technology proven in millions of hours of commercial operation worldwide. The H compressors were based on the compressor designed for the CF6-80C2 aircraft engine and its aeroderivative LM6000 gas turbine. A dry low NOx combustion system, which mixes fuel and air prior to ignition to reduce emissions for the 7H, has been proven in millions of hours of operation on other GE gas turbines around the world. Shipment of the H System for the Suroit project will be covered under a previously announced agreement signed by GE and Toshiba of Japan in 1998. Under this agreement, GE has H System integration and performance responsibility, and will design and manufacture the H gas turbines and supply the integrated control systems for the power train. Toshiba will manufacture the GE-designed compressors, along with Toshiba-designed generators and steam turbines. About Hydro-Quebec Production Hydro-Quebec Production, the generation division of Hydro-Quebec, is one of the world’s largest generators of electricity, with a capacity of over 38,000 megawatts. Its revenues in 2002 were Cdn$7.9 billion for a net income of Cdn1.6 billion. Hydro-Quebec Production is an important player in North America electricity wholesale markets. Hydro-Quebec, created in 1944 and 100%-owned by the Quebec government, is also a major transmission provider and distributor of electricity in Quebec, supplying more than 3.5 million Quebec customers. For more information, please visit the corporate web site at www.hydroquebec.com. About GE Energy GE Energy (www.gepower.com) is one of the world’s leading suppliers of power generation technology, energy services and management systems with 2003 revenues of nearly $18.5 billion. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, GE Energy provides equipment, service and management solutions across the power generation, oil and gas, distributed power and energy rental industries. > Press Contacts > More 2004 Press Releases |