Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in the US has awarded an order to GE for the supply of two high-efficiency 7HA.02 gas turbine generators for the Thomas H Allen Fossil Plant, which previously housed three coal-fired units.
In accordance with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines to reduce coal emissions, TVA has set a 2018 deadline for transforming the Allen plant into a combined cycle gas plant.
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The 60-hertz gas turbines from GE will run on natural gas and will reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by around 65%. The transformation will also be able to reduce both sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by more than 95%.
Upon completion, the Allen plant is likely to generate 1,000MW power, which will be sufficient to power approximately 1 million US homes.
GE Power & Water president and CEO for power generation product unit Vic Abate said: "TVA has a strong plan to meet its obligations with the EPA, while providing its customers with efficient, reliable power generation technologies.
"GE’s H-class technology is transforming the industry, and we feel it is the best power solution for TVA and the greater Memphis region."
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By GlobalDataThe plant was initially built by Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division. It supplies power to the Memphis area and a major part of the western region covered by the TVA. The new combined-cycle plant will also cover the same areas.
It is promised that the gas turbines will provide a net combined-cycle efficiency of more than 61% and a shorter installation schedule.
The gas turbines are likely to start commercial operations by May 2018, and GE is expected to deliver the equipment by August 2016.
