New Gas Turbine Designs and Bigger Turbines: Siemens’ HL-Class Gas Turbines, GE’s H-Class Turbines and Mitsubishi’s J-Series Turbines

 

This is an excerpt from my 2022 book Natural Gas and Decarbonization: Key Component and Enabler of the Lower Carbon, Reasonable Cost Energy Systems of the Future: Strategies for the 2020’s and Beyond

 

     Bigger and more efficient turbine designs are being tested by Duke Energy in North Carolina and in Lincolnshire in the UK. The Siemens SGT6-9000HL new HL-class turbines represent what I am here calling next gen natural gas plants. They are available in 60Hz and 50Hz versions that are comparable. They are well into demonstration phase now. These turbines are air-cooled. They offer higher aero-efficiency through 3D blade design, an advanced combustion system for higher firing temperatures, and more operational flexibility. Other features include improved coating for less cooling air consumption, superefficient cooling and optimized sealings for better efficiency. Testing at the Duke Energy facility is expected to be completed in 2024. Duke is taking a leap by investing in the technology during testing. These turbines can be started and up to full capacity in 8 minutes. Duke hopes to use the SGT6-9000HL to support growing solar generation since North Carolina is the number 2 state in solar deployment and needs are becoming apparent. In combined cycle mode the SGT6-9000HL 50Hz version can run at > 64% efficiency at an output pf 577MW. Simple cycle output is 577MW. NOx can be lowered down to 2ppm. The turbine can also accommodate a fuel with up to 50% hydrogen by volume. [1] [2] [3] [4]

     GE has the H-Class 50Hz 9HA and 60Hz 7HA turbines. The 7HA has outputs of 438-640 MW with a combined cycle. The latest version is the 7HA.03. These GE and Siemens turbines are 30% more efficient than the 2019 avg US natural gas efficiency. They are the most efficient gas turbines available. Efficiency improvements are emissions improvements so when these are commercialized beginning in 2024 overall natural gas efficiency will begin to increase and overall emissions will drop. The increased efficiency also offers quite significant operational cost savings. The 7HA.03 can also accommodate fuel with up to 50% H2 content. Larger turbines offer better economies of scale.[5] [6]

     Mitsubishi is a third competitor for gas turbines. They just added a new division in Dubai in April 2021 to cater to European markets as well as the Middle East and East Africa. Mitsubishi had the highest market share for gas turbines in 2020, especially in Asia. They also have new air-cooled J-Series turbines capable of 64% efficiency in combined cycle. The latest is the M501JAC Series. These can accommodate up to 30% H2 and feature a very high inlet temperature and a new fuel nozzle design.[7] Most of these designs note a CO2 emissions reduction of 50% from newer more efficient coal plants but emphasize reductions of 70% from older coal plants. The avg. is about 65% emissions reduction from coal plants. Mitsubishi hopes to sell these J-Series turbines in support of American and European decarbonization and some deployments are in construction phase. Mitsubishi leverages their digitalization format TOMONI to optimize O&M for the plant.[8] [9]

 

 

---

[1] Siemens HL-class gas turbines for higher power plant efficiency. Siemens HL-class gas turbines for higher power plant efficiency - YouTube

 

[2] Danenhower, Heather, April 23, 2019. Duke Energy, Siemens team up on advanced natural gas project. Duke Energy. Illuminations. Duke Energy, Siemens team up on advanced natural gas project | Duke Energy | illumination (duke-energy.com)

 

[3] Delaloy, Jean-Cosme, October 30, 2020. A “monster” gas turbine put to the test in North Carolina. Siemens Energy. Testing the biggest turbine of the HL class | 2020 | Siemens Energy Global (siemens-energy.com)

 

[4] SGT5-9000HL (50 Hz). SGT5-9000HL | HL-class Gas Turbine | Gas Turbines | Manufacturer | Siemens Energy Global (siemens-energy.com)

 

[5] Patel, Sonal, October 2, 2019. GE Unveils New H-Class Gas Turbine—and Already Has a First Order. Power Magazine. GE Unveils New H-Class Gas Turbine—and Already Has a First Order (powermag.com)

 

[6] Aeroderivative and heavy-duty gas turbines. GE Gas Power. Aeroderivative and Heavy-Duty Gas Turbines | GE Gas Power

 

[7] M701J Series Gas Turbines. Mitsubishi Power. Mitsubishi Power, Ltd. | M701J Series (mhi.com)

 

[8] MEET JAC. The M501JAC Gas Turbine Decarbonizing Power Tested, proven, the most reliable. Mitsubishi Power. Advanced Class Gas Turbines | (changeinpower.com)

 

[9] Mitsubishi Power Establishes Gas Turbine Combined Cycle Business Unit in Europe -- Jose Aguas Appointed Vice  President GTCC Sales EMEA. Mitsubishi Power. Mitsubishi Power Europe, Ltd. | Mitsubishi Power Establishes Gas Turbine Combined Cycle Business Unit in Europe -- Jose Aguas Appointed Vice President GTCC Sales EMEA --- (mhi.com)