- Two 9B Units to be Upgraded to 9E Gas Turbines to Enhance Operational Performance
- Trapani Power Plant Plays Key Role in Stabilizing Power Grid Between Sicily and Mainland Italy
- Trapani Project Part of a Broader Initiative by GE and E.ON
MILAN, ITALY---December 15, 2011---GE (NYSE: GE) will upgrade two 30-year-old 9B Gas Turbines to GE 9E Gas Turbines to lower emissions and improve the efficiency, reliability and output of a power plant in Trapani owned by E.ON Produzione S.p.A, an Italian energy producer. The plant plays a key role in stabilizing the power grid between Sicily and mainland Italy.
The upgrade project was announced today at an event in Milan attended by GE and E.ON representatives and the vice president and director for Industry, Crafts and Cooperation of Lombardy Region, Andrea Gibelli, who was greeted by Sandro De Poli, president and CEO of GE in Italy and by Miguel Antoñanzas, president and CEO of E.ON Italia.
GE will upgrade Trapani's two gas turbine trains from 85 and 89 megawatts, respectively, to 107.8 megawatts per unit. The upgrade will include temperature firing increases, advanced sealing features, new unit rotors and compressor stator vanes, new open air ventilated generators and the installation of a DLN 1 combustion system.
E.ON approached GE's Power Generation Services unit seeking a solution that would enable the Trapani plant to operate within new[1] regional emissions limits. Once the site's new configuration is complete, the project will position Trapani to help fortify the region's grid continuity, while offering opportunities for local community and industry development.
"This project will revamp Trapani's two gas-fired units by upgrading and partially replacing some primary turbine equipment," said Antoñanzas. "Once complete, the upgrade will enable our site to benefit from enhanced capacity, higher efficiency and lower impact on the environment."
Gibelli emphasized the importance for power providers to operate in compliance[2] with the region's increasingly stringent environmental requirements saying, "The Lombardy Region considers research and development in power generation critical to achieving sustainable development and superior competitiveness of its manufacturing ecosystem. Lombardy is committed, as part of Project TREND, to support initiatives that target energy savings and power generation through innovative energy sources. We appreciate GE's commitment to investing in flexible and efficient technologies that enable our region's power providers to reduce their emissions footprint."
"In Italy's current power market, utilities are seeking solutions that deliver more efficiency, flexibility and cost-effective operation of their existing assets," said Mario Cincotta, regional general manager for GE Energy. "Italian customers operate in an electricity market and regulatory landscape that is one of the most advanced in Europe in terms of environmental protection and emissions requirements. Given the complexity and broad scope of this project, E.ON expressed its confidence in GE's technological expertise and partnership to evaluate and execute its upgrade solution."
DLN technology helps power plant operators meet or exceed emerging regulatory requirements in Europe and around the world. DLN solutions also enable operation at lower loads during off-peak periods, consuming less fuel and helping to reduce plant operating costs. This technology builds on decades of GE innovation in combustion technology, with more than 700 GE DLN combustors having compiled 23 million hours of operation on nearly 800 units worldwide.
The project will begin in the third quarter of 2012 and is scheduled to be completed in 2013.
About E.ON
E.ON is one of the world's largest investor-owned energy groups with more than 85,000 employees in 30 countries. Formed in 2000 by the merger of Veba and Viag, E.ON has more than 26,000 customers, with just under EUR 92,9 billion in sales in 2010. In Italy E.ON is among the main providers in the power and gas markets.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.
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.
[1] On June 29, 2010 the Minister of the Environment promulgated changes and additions to the legislative decree of April, 3, 2006, number 152, containing rules on environmental matters in accordance with Article 12 of Law June 18, 2009, number 69, http://aia.minambiente.it/UserFiles/File/DLgsn128-2010.pdf
As stated in Article 4, "Regions and Autonomous Provinces adapt their jurisdiction to the provisions of this decree within 12 months after entry into force." The Trapani plant is required to adhere to new standards in the Sicilian region that limit nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions to 50 milligrams (mg) compared to previous levels of 400 mg.
[2] Lombardy is one of the most active regions in Italy in terms of environmental protection and emissions requirements. On January 1, 2009, Lombardy enacted new standards that limited nitrous oxide (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions to 30 milligrams (mg) compared to previous levels of 50 mg, a reduction of 40 percent.
Howard Masto
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Ken Darling
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