Siemens transports its most powerful and efficient gas turbine

Heavy shipment of the first HL-class with 50 Hertz frequency sets sail for the UK
Powerhouse unit from Berlin heads for one of the world’s most efficient combined cycle power plants

The largest, most powerful, and most efficient heavy-duty gas turbine that Siemens has produced to date was loaded onto an inland cargo ship today in Berlin, where it set off on its journey for Keadby, Lincolnshire, in the UK to be tested in a power plant of UK energy generator SSE Thermal. Built by Siemens Gas and Power in its Berlin factory and destined for the 50-Hertz market, the powerhouse known as SGT5-9000HL measures 13 meters in length, five meters in height, five meters in width, and weighs nearly 500 metric tons. After the recent first fire and synchronization to the grid of its first 60-Hertz version in a power plant in the United States, Siemens reports this second milestone for its latest HL-class within several weeks.

Siemens-gas-turbine — The SGT5-9000HL measures 13 meters in length as well as five meters in width and height respectively. Weighing in at almost 500 tons, the powerhouse left its production location Berlin to start its twelve-day journey to the UK.

To test the 50-Hertz version of the HL-class machines, Siemens is building the Keadby 2 power plant for SSE Thermal. With its 593-megawatt (MW) capacity, the gas turbine sets new standards in power, efficiency, lifecycle costs, and operating flexibility. After the test phase, the gas turbine system will be expanded into a highly efficient combined cycle power plant, where the turbine will then rise to a new level of maximum performance: 840 MW and a baseload efficiency of more than 63 percent. The higher efficiency will save fuel and simultaneously reduce CO2 emissions in Keadby by as much as 3.7 million metric tons per year, compared to coal-fired power plants.

The turbine will first travel by inland waterways, heading west to the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, where it will be loaded onto a coastal ship for transport to the eastern coast of England. It will travel up the Humber and Trent rivers for approximately 12 days until it reaches the inland port of Keadby, where it will be lifted off the ship and driven to the construction site.

“Shipping the first SGT5-9000HL gas turbine is an important milestone for the Keadby 2 project,” said Karim Amin, CEO of the Generation Division within Siemens Energy. “I’m pleased that we were able to complete the turbine assembly work during these challenging times, despite all the restrictions imposed by COVID-19, and that we managed to successfully send the machine off on its journey to the power plant location in the UK,” Amin added.

Stephen Wheeler, Managing Director, SSE Thermal, said: “Today marks a hugely exciting milestone for our Keadby 2 project as the turbine begins its journey to north Lincolnshire. This first-of-a-kind technology will make Keadby 2 the UK’s cleanest and most efficient gas-fired power station, displacing older, more carbon-intensive generation, and providing vital flexibility for the electricity system.”

Initial operation of the new turbine in Keadby is scheduled for 2021. SSE Thermal will place the turbine into commercial operation in 2022, following successful testing. In addition to the technology, Siemens is also providing service with its first long-term program (LTP) for an HL-class gas turbine in Europe. Siemens will utilize its advanced digital service solutions, including remote monitoring and diagnostics, to help maintain the availability, reliability and optimal performance of the power plant.

The HL-class gas turbines from Siemens combine several new, previously tested technologies and construction features with the best practices drawn from prior experience. This combination results in a technology carrier that brings both efficiency and power to the next level. The HL-class is thus paving the way for higher efficiencies.

Siemens-gas-turbine-transport — As part of a new combined cycle power plant, the largest, most powerful, and most efficient Siemens gas turbine to date will have a baseload efficiency of 63 percent and an output of 840 Megawatt – enough to provide electricity to a city with 3.3 million inhabitants.

Siemens Gas and Power GmbH & Co. KG is the global energy business of the Siemens group, which has been working with its customers on solutions for the evolving demands of industry and society for more than 150 years. With planned stock listing, Siemens’ energy business will operate independently as Siemens Energy in the future. It will offer broad expertise across the entire energy value chain, along with a comprehensive portfolio for utilities, independent power producers, transmission system operators, the oil and gas industry, and other energy-intensive industries. With its products, solutions, systems, and services, Siemens Energy will address the extraction, processing, and transport of oil and gas as well as power and heat generation in central and distributed thermal power plants, and power transmission and technologies for the energy transformation, including storage and sector-coupling solutions. The majority stake in Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy will round out its future-oriented portfolio. With its commitment to leading the way in decarbonization of the global energy system, Siemens Energy will be a partner of choice for companies, governments, and customers on their path to a more sustainable future. With around 90,000 employees worldwide, Siemens Energy will help shape the energy systems of today and tomorrow. www.siemens.com.