POWER
October 2023 Previews
COVER FOCUS: Gas Top Plants
Energia del Pacifico, El Salvador
Energia del Pacifico comprises a 380-MW power plant fueled by natural gas, supplied via pipeline from a floating liquefied natural gas storage and regasification unit on El Salvador’s Pacific Coast, plus a 44-kilometer, 230-kV double-circuit transmission line and associated substations, running from the Acajutla power plant to Ahuachapan.
Brentwood Power Station, New York
Brentwood’s GE LM6000 aeroderivative gas turbine successfully operated on blends of up to 44% (by volume) green hydrogen in a pilot project at the Long Island site. Tests revealed a clear reduction in CO2 emissions with higher blends of hydrogen paving the way for a net zero carbon future and further development of green hydrogen at other sites. The project also revealed substantial reductions in CO emissions, which could lead to additional benefits when operating on hydrogen blends.
Fresno Hybrid, California
Marin Clean Energy’s newest resource adequacy project converted a natural gas-fired peaker plant into a state-of-the art energy storage hybrid. The addition of 16 MW of battery storage to the 48-MW facility enables the plant to burn significantly less fuel than a standard gas site. The project reduces particulate emissions from the facility by as much as 78%, improving local air quality.
Melakka Power Plant, Malaysia
Melakka is the largest combined cycle gas-fired power plant currently in operation in Malaysia. The plant consists of three generating blocks capable of generating more than 745 MW each. GE provided EDRA with a holistic solution including the core power plant equipment, a 21-year service agreement, and digital solutions to manage all aspects of the project’s lifecycle. GE’s 9HA-class technology played an important role in supporting the country’s decarbonization roadmap and the growing energy consumption needs.
SPECIAL REPORT: Coal Top Plant
Pingshan II, China
Huaibei Shenergy Power Generation’s Pingshan II is a nameplate-rated 1,350-MW double reheat ultrasupercritical power plant in Huaibei, Anhui Province, China. GE signed a contract with Shanghai Boiler Works to support the boiler design for Pingshan II. Phase II came into commercial operation in April 2022.
FEATURES
Strengthening the Power Grid with Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Poles
Storms have gotten meaner and regularly hit our power grid with more intensity than traditional Class 5 or 6 poles can handle. An engineered material consisting of reinforcement fibers, polymer resin, and additives, FRP is both strong and durable. Other qualities that make FRP poles good for both transmission and distribution are their safety characteristics, resiliency, and long service life.
Choosing the Right Distributed Energy Resource
Distributed energy resources (DERs) have emerged as a vital component in the global energy transition to sustainable and resilient energy solutions. As the demand for renewable energy grows, the decision to invest in DERs becomes crucial. This article explores the key considerations in selecting the optimal DER strategy, specifically focusing on the decision between grid-tied and off-grid systems, and whether it’s best to invest now or delay the investment.
Best Practices for Decommissioning Power Plants
Power companies are well-versed in operating and maintaining power plants. However, decommissioning them is not something they do everyday. This article will explore the best practices and touch on projects that have successfully transitioned from fully functioning plant to repurposed site.
Temporary Boilers Are Important Resources in a Pinch
There are many reasons a temporary boiler might be needed. It could be that a facility needs to increase capacity periodically, wants operational redundancy, must conduct scheduled maintenance or deal with unexpected outages, or needs to supplement coverage during new equipment installation. No matter the case, many suppliers are standing by with a wide selection of rental boilers, including superheat and saturated steam models, to fill the gaps.
Propane: A Clean Energy Solution for Tomorrow That’s Available Today
Electrification is often presented as an optimal way to reduce carbon emissions, but it’s simply not practical to rely on electricity alone. Propane is an often-overlooked energy resource that can be used to reliably power many different applications.
Engineering the World’s Largest Post-Combustion Carbon Capture Plant
VPI, a power generator and owner of a 1,260-MW combined cycle natural gas power plant in Immingham, UK, is set to play a key role in decarbonizing the region. The company plans to transform its existing facility into the largest post-combustion carbon capture plant of its type in the world. This is the story behind the project.
Realize the Opportunity from Advanced Air Inlet Filtration
For maximum efficiency and operational flexibility, advanced gas turbines have rightly been optimized to the nth degree. However, there are big opportunities in important related components such as air inlet filtration systems too. The latest developments show what can be achieved w