GE Upgrades Gas Turbines with Ecomagination-Certified Technology, Enabling Endesa to Meet Europe’s Strictest Emissions Standards

Tavazzano Plant One of Nine in Italy Featuring “Greener” Combustion Systems


MILAN, ITALY - June 2008 : – Endesa Italia, one of the largest electricity producers in Italy, is turning to GE Energy’s latest gas turbine emissions control technology to meet the strictest emissions standards for combined-cycle power plants in Europe.

On January 1, 2009, the region of Lombardy in Italy will enact new standards that will limit nitrous oxide (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions to 30 milligrams (mg) compared to present levels of 50 mg, for a reduction of 40 percent. Endesa’s Tavazzano combined-cycle power plant in the Lombardy town of Lodi, 30 kilometers southeast of Milan, already is meeting those standards - six months before they will take effect.

GE Energy’s newest dry low NOx combustion system, DLN 2.6+, was developed to help power plant operators meet or exceed the increasingly stringent regulatory requirements in Europe and elsewhere around the world. Capable of reducing NOx and CO emissions by 40 percent or more on GE Frame 9FA gas turbines, this technology has been certified under ecomagination, GE’s commitment to address the need for cleaner, more efficient sources of energy and reduced emissions.

GE retrofitted three 9FA gas turbines operating at the Tavazzano facility with the advanced DLN 2.6+ combustion systems. To meet Endesa’s requirements for a short-cycle project, GE completed all mechanical installation in only 21 days.

The DLN 2.6+ technology is capable of reducing combined-cycle emissions without using chemical systems, thus eliminating the possible releases of harmful chemicals into the environment. In addition to reducing emissions, the new technology also enables the gas turbine to be operated at lower power during off-peak periods, consuming less fuel and helping to reduce plant operating costs. This enhanced product builds upon decades of GE experience in combustion technology.

In addition to the Tavazzano site, Endesa also is using three DLN 2.6+ system at its Ostiglia plant, which gives Endesa the largest DLN 2.6+ retrofitted gas turbine fleet outside of the U.S. GE’s first two DLN 2.6+ systems were installed by AEM in Cassano d’Adda, and another system was installed by ASM in Brescia, for a total of nine systems presently operating in Italy.

“Our Italian customers operate in an electricity market that has some of the world’ s strictest requirements in terms of environmental impact, operating flexibility and efficiency,” said Ricardo Cordoba, GE Energy’s president for Western Europe and North Africa. “To meet those challenges, GE’s research and development team continues to develop new technology platforms, such as the DLN 2.6+, for our gas turbine fleet.”

“Our investment in GE’s technology has resulted in more efficiency, operating flexibility and significantly reduced emissions for the Tavazzano plant,” said Salvatore Signoriello, manager of Tavazzano plant of Endesa. "We’re also pleased with the high attention to work safety issues exhibited during this retrofit project, including the integration of the Endesa and GE safety systems.