GE will upgrade two GE Frame 7FA Gas Turbines, which have been operating on natural gas since 2002, with compressor and combustion system enhancements as well as GE's new Advanced Gas Path – a technology which expands gas turbine output and heat rate performance through both material and design innovations.
The site's upgrade package also includes dry low NOx (DLN) combustion technology designed to lower emissions while saving water. GE DLN combustors are equipped on more than 650 7FA Gas Turbines with more than 20 million fired hours.
The turbine enhancement project is scheduled to be completed by October 2012.
"This project has been a close collaboration between Progress Energy and GE to identify a solution that will deliver higher levels of performance to the Richmond County site without sacrificing operational flexibility or reliability," said James A. Kaveney, general manager of GE Energy's Power Generation Services Americas group.
GE operates more than 750 GE Frame 7FA Gas Turbines worldwide, with the 7FA fleet accounting for 15% of North America's installed electrical capacity.