Technology to Help Meet Increasing Efficiency and Performance Requirements
SCHENECTADY, N.Y.--23 June 2009-- GE Energy and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) have signed final agreements to co-develop a "next generation" steam turbine for use in gas turbine combined-cycle power plants. The co-development effort will focus on the design of a new, advanced steam turbine, leaving each of the parties to separately manufacture and sell the co-developed steam turbine in support of its natural gas-fired, combined-cycle power generation products.
GE Energy and MHI first announced a memorandum of understanding for combined-cycle steam turbine co-development in January 2009. Development of a new, advanced steam turbine is viewed by both companies as a key step in meeting customer requirements for increased combined-cycle efficiency and performance worldwide.
The new steam turbine will enter commercial service coupled with the GE Frame FB and the MHI G-class gas turbine products in the 50Hz segment of the global power generation market. These gas turbine models are typically used for combined-cycle power plants in the range 850-1,000 MW.
"GE has a long history of partnering with other suppliers and manufacturers to accelerate the pace at which advanced technology products are brought to market," said Steve Bolze, president of GE Energy's Power & Water business. "Under the agreements signed, GE and MHI will share best practices and development activities to bring a next-generation, high-performance steam turbine to the combined-cycle market faster than either party could individually achieve."
"We are very pleased to be teamed with GE in this important effort to meet global customer requirements for increased combined-cycle efficiency and performance," said Ichiro Fukue, director, senior executive vice president of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. "The combination of our two companies' technological expertise is a great step forward in helping our customers."
Much of the current demand for steam turbines is driven by the strong global interest in natural gas-fired, combined-cycle power generation. Although a full range of technology options is required to meet the world's growing energy needs, steam turbines remain a backbone of the power generation industry, playing a part in generating more than 80% of the world's electricity.
About GE Energy
GE Energy (www.ge.com/energy) is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies, with 2008 revenue of $29.3 billion. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, GE Energy works in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; and other alternative fuels. Numerous GE Energy products are certified under ecomagination, GE's corporate-wide initiative to aggressively bring to market new technologies that will help customers meet pressing environmental challenges.
About GE
GE is a diversified global infrastructure, finance and media company that is built to meet essential world needs. From energy, water, transportation and health to access to money and information, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.ge.com. GE is Imagination at Work.
About Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is one of the world's leading heavy machinery manufacturers, with consolidated sales of 3,375.6 billion yen in fiscal 2008 (year ended March 31, 2009). MHI's diverse lineup of products and services encompasses shipbuilding, power plants, chemical plants, environmental equipment, steel structures, industrial and general machinery, aircraft, space rocketry and air-conditioning systems.
For more information, please visit the MHI website (http://www.mhi.co.jp/en/index.html).
Howard Masto
Masto Public Relations
[email protected]
1-518-786-6488
Ken Darling
Masto Public Relations
[email protected]
1-518-786-6488
GE news Hideo Ikuno
Masto Public Relations
[email protected]
business unit
tags