POWER January 2011 - 36

POWER VIEWS
ture, as much as is practically possible in
our own factories, through our Joint Ventures
and with our partners. Under a typical
technology transfer agreement (TTA)
we transfer our latest state-of-the-art technology
in machinery and equipment, project
management, and quality control. This
effective and unique TTA has benefited
our customers and partners, enabling them
to obtain our latest proven technologies,
while ensuring that all products can draw
on Alstom's continued R&D and technology
innovation. This is true, for example,
on our nuclear projects in China, like Ling
Ao II, Taishan (China's first EPR).
We are also using TTAs in India to advantage.
In 2005, Alstom and BHEL entered into
a 15-year agreement for the manufacture, supWe
see two key barriers to the wider
implementation of a smart grid system: the
inability of the industry to clearly articulate
the business case of smart grid technology to
regulators and the lack of a consistent policy
on how utilities can and should recover the
high cost of investment.
Peltier: What initiatives does
your company have planned for
the next 10 years related to the
development of new or improved
renewable energy technologies?
Curran: We expect the world market for renewable
forms of marine energy to grow very
strongly over the next 10 years. Between now
and 2020 we expect that 60 GW of offshore
wind generation and 2 GW of tidal generaWe
see two key barriers to the wider
implementation of a smart grid system: the
inability of the industry to clearly articulate
the business case of smart grid technology
to regulators and the lack of a consistent
policy on how utilities can and should
recover the high cost of investment.
ply, and technology transfer of supercritical
coal-fired boilers. In 1999, we entered into
a 50:50 joint venture with National Thermal
Power Corp. (NTPC) to create NTPC Alstom
Power Service Ltd. (NASL). NASL undertakes
renovation, modernization, retrofit, and
refurbishment of aging power plants with full
support from Alstom Global Technology Centers
located in Europe, the U.S., and India.
Peltier: What is Alstom's involvement
in smart grid technology
development?
Curran: Alstom has been active in the area
of smart grid since before it was a household
term. Alstom's approach to making America's
grid smarter is built around the concept
of " evergreen " implementation, whereby sophisticated
new technologies (such as highvoltage
direct current and voltage source
converter technologies) are paired up with the
existing grid. The first demonstration project
is the Tres Amigas Super Station that, when
operational, will provide a first-of-its-kind
linkage between America's three major grid
networks, making it possible for renewable
energy generated in the Southwest to reach
homes on the eastern seaboard.
January 2011 | POWER
tion will be installed.
Alstom is focusing on two key wind
development areas: making wind turbines
that create more power per square meter
and increasing the energy yield of a turbine
under low-wind-velocity conditions.
With our 100-meter (m) and 110-m rotor
diameters, the 3-MW ECO 100 and ECO
110 (designed for lower wind velocities)
are at the forefront of the emerging 3-MW
onshore wind turbine technology that is
rapidly becoming a new market standard,
particularly in Europe. Alstom is developing
a large (6-MW) offshore, direct drive
(no gearbox) wind turbine designed to
meet the expected UK requirements. The
prototypes and pre-series are planned to be
available in 2012-2013, for series production
to start in 2014.
The hydroelectric market has grown by
40% in recent years with only one-third of
the world's potential hydro sites developed.
We will therefore continue to improve our
turbine blade profiles for efficiency gains,
further develop generator insulation technology,
pump storage, and control systems.
We are also continuously improving
our turbine and generator rehabilitation
www.powermag.com
and upgrade solutions-especially " green
solutions " for refurbishment, such as fishfriendly
turbines and oil-free bearings.
Alstom plans to demonstrate its tidal
technology in two phases: first, deploy the
first full-size demonstrator in the Bay of
Fundy (Canada) in 2012 and then deploy a
second, larger unit in Brittany (France) in
2013. Once these two technology demonstration
projects are completed, we intend
to commercially offer tidal farm projects.
From preliminary discussions with potential
customers, we anticipate that tidal
farm projects could reach several hundred
megawatts by 2020.
Alstom has a long experience in the field
of geothermal. In 1958, Alstom participated
in the construction of the world's first largescale
commercial geothermal power plant
in Wairakei, New Zealand. Today, Alstom's
geothermal business builds on more than 50
years' experience in the building and servicing
of geothermal power plants.
Concentrated solar thermal power is a
high-growth industry, and that technology
will be an important part of our future development
plants. Alstom is one of the main
shareholders in BrightSource Energy now
developing several very large projects in California
and elsewhere.
Peltier: What are your three key
predictions for the power industry
in 2011?
Curran: A balanced portfolio of products
is needed now more than ever. Energy security
is a key driver for many countries,
and utilities are working hard to balance
their energy resources. We expect carbonfree
technologies (renewables, hydro, and
nuclear) to gain in worldwide market share
in the future. We also expect that the impact
of CO2 emissions from plants on climate
change will increase in importance in
these energy resource decisions.
At the same time, we must take care of our
existing power plant fleet to improve performance
and extend their life expectancy, while
simultaneously reducing their CO2 emissions.
Retrofit and service of these existing assets is
an easy way to either increase the output or
extend the number of years of operation.
Asia and emerging countries will lead
the power market growth. Gross domestic
product growth and recovery from the crisis
is faster in Asia and in emerging countries
in general. Consumption is growing
fast, and reserve margins are tighter, driving
more orders for new plants, either thermal
or renewables. ■
-Dr. Robert Peltier, PE, POWER's
editor-in-chief, conducted and edited
this interview.
35
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POWER January 2011

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