MetCap Energy Investments, a Turkish project developer, has revealed that it will use GE Energy’s FlexEfficiency technology at its integrated renewables combined cycle (IRCC) power plant in Karaman, Turkey. The project carries a 530MW rating and features a 50Hz 9FB gas turbine, a steam turbine, a generator, 22MW of GE wind turbines and 50MW of eSolar’s concentrated solar thermal tower technology. The natural gas, wind and solar thermal power will all be incorporated in the IRCC power plant with GE’s Mark Vie plant control system.
“When we recently announced our breakthrough FlexEfficiency technology, we talked about being able to better integrate renewables with natural gas to produce cleaner, more affordable and reliable power. This project combines two renewable technologies and natural gas in the same power plant and demonstrates the benefits it can offer to power the future grid. Integrated renewable combined cycle power represents a significant growth opportunity for GE Energy. At MetCap’s site conditions, we will achieve 69% plant efficiency, and this technology provides the capability to deliver efficiency greater than 70% at Gas Turbine World conditions,” said Paul Browning, president and CEO of thermal products for GE Energy.
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Earlier this week, GE revealed its investment in concentrated solar thermal tower technology specialist eSolar. No financial details were revealed, but under the agreement GE will license and use eSolar technology and software into its IRCC and standalone solar thermal power plants.
“This is the first example of how our recent investment in eSolar will enable future growth opportunities for GE Energy, and we already are seeing a growing interest in the industry for this technology…” Browning added.
The IRCC power plant is set to reach commercial operation in 2015. Gama Power Systems Engineering and Contracting is providing the engineering, procurement and construction services for the project.
Dr. Celal Metin, chairman of MetCap Energy Investments, said, “At MetCap Energy, we believe our projects must simultaneously meet the need for increased energy, environmental responsibility and economic growth, while preserving precious water resources. GE’s FlexEfficiency technology was evaluated versus other state-of-the-art alternatives and was selected because it is best aligned with our vision for the future. In addition to record-setting fuel efficiency, this power plant will have zero liquid discharge, low emissions and a rapid-response, 28-minute start capability. It accomplishes this using an integrated controls system that provides single-button start for all of the elements of the IRCC power plant. And we’ve accomplished all of this with very attractive financial returns for our investment. We think this represents the future of power generation.”
