pwr_october-2024 - 27

TOP PLANT
1. The Guernsey Power Station utilizes three
GE Vernova 7HA.02 gas turbines in a singleshaft
combined cycle configuration, the largest
set-up of its kind in a U.S. power plant.
Courtesy: GE Vernova
sey power three W84 generators, three
STF-A650 steam turbines, and three
GE Vernova triple pressure with reheat
heat recovery steam generators, which
include supplemental duct firing, stateof-the-art
selective catalytic reduction
technology for reducing NOx emissions,
and an oxidation catalyst for reducing
carbon monoxide and volatile organic
compounds (VOCs). GE Vernova maintains
the facility under a 20-year services
agreement, and provides cloud-based
predictive analytics through GE Vernova's
Asset Performance Management (APM)
software. This APM Reliability software,
powered by SmartSignal, will help predict
potential asset failures and reduce
unplanned downtime, while improving
power plant productivity and reliability.
Officials have noted that GE Vernova's
H-class gas turbine technology
is considered among the most responsive
and flexible in the industry. It has
set combined cycle efficiency records
at both 50-Hz and at 60-Hz stations. GE
Vernova has said, " The economies of
scale created by the 7HA gas turbine,
combined with its 64% combined-cycle
efficiency,
enable
the
cost-effective
conversion of fuel to electricity to help
power plant operators meet increasingly
dynamic power demands. "
" We are proud that our advanced HA
combined cycle equipment started to
provide efficient, flexible and reliable
electricity at Guernsey Power Station, "
said Dave Ross, president of GE Vernova's
Gas Power in the Americas region.
" Gas power plays a crucial role in the
energy transition, helping to balance
the variable nature of renewables and
ensuring system reliability. Our 7HA.02
gas turbines, which can burn up to 20%
hydrogen with plans to transition to
100% hydrogen over the next decade,
are a highly efficient energy solution to
October 2024 | POWER
help power plant operators, like Caithness
Energy, to advance their carbon
emissions reduction goals. In addition,
our services and digital solutions will be
crucial to improve Guernsey plant's performance
and availability. "
GE Vernova said the flexibility of the
7HA suite of gas turbines " enables increased
dispatch and ancillary revenue,
while enhanced fuel flexibility accommodates
a wide range of gaseous fuels
[shale gas, high ethane, hydrogen] and
liquid fuels [#2 diesel, crude oils]. The
7HA gas turbine ramps up to full load in
10 minutes and features a novel configuration
that supports simplified installation
and maintenance. "
Ain said, " GE Vernova's gas turbines
are among the largest and most-efficient
gas turbines in the world, and operating
flexibility may be considered as the key
feature of Guernsey plant ... we trust GE
Vernova's equipment will help us turn current
energy transition challenges into the
opportunity to drive carbon emissions reduction
in the energy sector through the
deployment of new flexible, much more
efficient, and cleaner gas-fired plants to
substitute for older, less-efficient units. "
Innovative Cooling Technology
The plant utilizes dry air cooling technology
from Belgium-based SPG Dry
Cooling. The system reduces water consumption
by up to 95% compared to a
conventional water-cooled plant.
Other companies involved in the
construction of the Guernsey station
include Howard Concrete Pumping for
mine mitigation, EPC Services Company
for the 765-kV switchyard, and Baker
Concrete Construction for foundations.
POWER Engineers, a consulting engineering
group with offices across the
U.S., served as the project's engineer of
record. Water and sewer infrastructure
for the project was provided by the Village
of Byesville, and the Guernsey station
purchases water and sewer services
from Byesville.
The June 2023 ribbon-cutting event
marking commercial operation of Guernsey
featured several groups involved with
the project, including elected officials,
economic development organizations,
and project partners who participated in
the development, financing, construction,
equipment and fuel supply, and
operation of the facility. Officials noted
that during construction, and continuing
during operation, financial support was
and is being provided to local non-profit
groups, including food banks and other
www.powermag.com
POWER POINTS
Winning Attributes
✔ Those involved with the Guernsey
project said support of the local
community, state and local officials,
and various agencies commencing
with project development, and
continuing through permitting,
construction, startup, and
operations of the project cannot be
overemphasized.
✔ The partnership among Caithness
Energy, GE Vernova, and Gemma
Power Systems facilitated
overcoming unique challenges
during the pandemic, and always
put the project's interests first when
making key decisions-with safety
a priority.
✔ GE Vernova's H-class gas turbine
technology has set combined-cycle
efficiency records at both 50-Hz
and 60-Hz plants. The economies
of scale created by the 7HA gas
turbine, combined with its 64%
combined-cycle efficiency, enable
the cost-effective conversion of
fuel to electricity to help power
plant operators meet increasingly
dynamic power demands.
community organizations and activities.
Two local fire departments also each received
a check for $50,000 to support
their services to the area. Those involved
with the project said that support of the
local community, state and local officials,
and various agencies commencing with
project development, and continuing
through permitting, construction, startup,
and operations of the project cannot
be overemphasized.
" We have worked closely with our
partners, suppliers
and
contractors
to build this important project, overcoming
the many challenges of doing
so during the pandemic, " said Ain.
" Guernsey County has benefited directly
from nearly 1,000 skilled craft
workers at peak construction and approximately
30 permanent high-tech
jobs, all while committing to provide
vital funding to the Rolling Hills Local
School District, which has enabled a
major school construction project. " ■
-Darrell Proctor is a senior
editor for POWER.
27
http://www.powermag.com
pwr_october-2024

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