- More Power, Greater Efficiency, Fewer Emissions at Cogen España's Tortosa Energía Power Plant
- Major Upgrade Took Only Five Weeks to Perform
- Spain's First Such Project Ties-In With Government Efficiency Goals
HOUSTON, TEXAS and TARRAGONA, SPAIN---December 19, 2011---Five weeks was all the time needed for GE (NYSE: GE) to perform a major repowering upgrade of its LM2500-PE gas turbine at Cogen España's Tortosa Energía cogeneration plant in Tarragona. As a result of the upgrade, GE's customer now operates a gas turbine offering higher power output, fewer emissions and greater energy efficiency.
The Tortosa Energia project converted the existing natural-gas-fueled GE LM2500-PE gas turbine to the more efficient, cleaner and powerful GE LM2500+ DLE model. GE helped increase power output from 26 to 29 megawatts at 37 percent efficiency in simple-cycle mode/61 percent efficiency in cogeneration mode. GE also reduced NOx emissions from 189 ppm to 25 ppm and CO emissions to 25 ppm as well. The plant's control system was updated but there were no changes to main structural items and the existing foundations were reused. GE performed the upgrade this past summer.
The outage took one-third the time as what typically would be expected, thus minimizing power-supply disruptions to Cogen España's customer Ercros, S.A., Spain's leading domestic non-petrochemical chemical company.
The $12.5 million project, known as a repowering-in-place, is a first for Spain and enables Tortosa Energia to qualify for 10 years of cogeneration feed-in tariff, while complying with the latest environmental requirements and positioning the plant for future growth as well. It took place under Spain's Plan Renove plant rejuvenation program, which incentivizes efficiency upgrades on existing cogeneration plants.
"Our intention was to modernize the plant while minimizing service disruptions to our very important customers," said Mr. Jaime Igea, cogen energia operations director, Tortosa Energía. "GE's advanced technology and engineering expertise was essential to the speed and success of this project, and the result is that we are now better positioned to provide clean, efficient power to support the Tarragona region's energy needs in the coming years."
GE's repowering-in-place offerings for older aeroderivative gas turbines focus on replacing the core engine and auxiliaries while retaining the main gearbox, generator, foundations and structural elements. They represent a tailored balance of cost, downtime and advanced technology for when it is not possible or desirable to install new units. GE has conducted some 100 repowerings for aeroderivative gas turbines globally.
"The Tortosa Energy repowering is a great example of how GE's technology and service expertise can help Spain modernize power generation equipment efficiently and cost-efficiently, even in the current economic context," said Darryl Wilson, president and CEO of GE's Aeroderivative Gas Turbines business. "As Spain aims to encourage the use of cleaner, more energy-efficient energy sources, projects such as this one are becoming increasingly important."
GE's aeroderivative business, headquartered in Houston, Texas, brings power to businesses and communities around the world by modifying highly reliable GE aviation engines to burn natural gas and/or biofuels for efficient, reliable energy. These jet engine-based power generation units, which range from 18-100 MW, help energy companies take advantage of the growing trend to use abundant, cleaner-burning natural gas for power generation for a cleaner, more productive world.
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GE also serves the energy sector by providing technology and service solutions that are based on a commitment to quality and innovation. The company continues to invest in new technology solutions and grow through strategic acquisitions to strengthen its local presence and better serve customers around the world. The businesses that comprise GE Energy---GE Power & Water, GE Energy Management and GE Oil & Gas---work together with more than 100,000 global employees and 2010 revenues of $38 billion, to provide integrated product and service solutions in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; as well as other alternative fuels and new grid modernization technologies to meet 21st century energy needs.
Howard Masto
Masto Public Relations
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Gina DeRossi
Soteryx Corporation
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