GE Energy Introduces 10-Minute Startup Capability For Its Frame 7FA Gas Turbines

Offering lower emissions and higher efficiency during startups, GE Energy is introducing 10-minute start capability for its Frame 7FA gas turbines at Power-Gen International 2007. This new capability is an expansion of the company’s OpFlex* gas turbine technology program.

The 7FA gas turbine with the new startup capability will be able to dispatch in 10 minutes after a start signal, and will achieve stable combustion capable of NOx and CO emissions of nine ppm within this time period.

When integrated into GE’s next generation Rapid Response combined-cycle power plant design, this turbine has the ability to reduce startup emissions for a 207FA system (two gas turbines and one steam turbine) by as much as 20% and increase starting efficiency by up to 30%.

“A power company using GE’s Rapid Response combined-cycle power plant design with 10-minute start capability can provide high-efficiency power when it is needed most,” said John Reinker, general manager of the heavy-duty and combined-cycle gas turbine product line for GE Energy. “It is designed for customers who want to extend operation under an emissions cap, are contemplating cyclic duty, or have an opportunity to tap into additional revenue from the ancillary market.”

The 7FA with 10-minute start capability utilizes advanced fuel scheduling and purge credit technologies, complementing GE’s Rapid Response combined-cycle power plant technology to create a total plant solution featuring gas and steam turbine, generator and HRSG engineering, designed for flexible and responsive operation. Targeted for 60-hertz markets, it will be available for simple-cycle applications in 2009 and combined-cycle operation in late 2010.

The 7FA gas turbine is a member of GE’s family of F-class gas turbines, proven in more than 22 million hours of commercial operation worldwide. GE’s OpFlex gas turbine technology program provides operational flexibility enhancements for gas turbines.
About GE Energy

GE Energy (www.ge.com/energy) is one of the world’s leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies, with 2006 revenue of $19 billion. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, GE Energy works in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; and other alternative fuels. Numerous GE Energy products are certified under ecomagination, GE’s corporate-wide initiative to aggressively bring to market new technologies that will help customers meet pressing environmental challenges.

* OpFlex is a trademark of the General Electric Company.
For more information, contact:

Mary Gibson
GE Energy
+1 770 729 6359
mary1.gibson@ge.com

Ken Darling or Howard Masto
Masto Public Relations
+1 518 786 6488
kenneth.darling@ge.com
howard.masto@ge.com