Super-efficient Siemens gas turbine for Malaysia

In a modern power generation plant, a 2% efficiency improvement could translate into a saving of about 43,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year. This equals the CO₂ production of 10,000 mid-sized cars, each travelling 20,000 km.

The new Siemens H-class high performance gas turbine engine in a “combined cycle” outperforms its predecessor, the F series, by this much. The company’s energy sector head for Asean-Pacific Markus Lorenzini believes this turbine is the key to turning power plants green.

Markus Lorenzini (photo credit: GPA Photo)

“It complements the efforts of governments to drastically reduce carbon emission,” says Lorenzini, who is based in Jakarta, Indonesia.

What first excited the industry was the new world record using the H-series in a combined cycle efficiency (CCE) measurement. The 60% barrier was breached for the first time. Previously, the F-series gas turbine was able to produce a CCE of 58%.

CCE is based on the principle of using the exhaust fumes of one engine as a source of heat for another. Operating alone, a heat engine cannot convert more than 50% of energy inputs into useable energy. In general, they operate between 35% and 42% efficiency. The remainder is released into the atmosphere as exhaust. 

Besides the higher efficiency of 60.75% at lower heating value (LHV), the H-series is capable of an output of 578 MW. In single shaft configuration, the SCC5-8000H 1S is able to generate the same amount of electricity with one-third less natural gas (hence, one-third less CO₂ per kWh emitted) compared to the F-series. 

The H-series gas turbines are the outcome of a merger between Westinghouse Power Generation and Siemens in August 1998. A decision was made then to develop a next generation family of gas turbines using the experience and technology developed by Siemens and the former Westinghouse.

Prakash Chandran (photo credit: GPA Photo)

Prakash Chandran, president and CEO of Siemens Malaysia, is confident the company has the solution for Malaysia’s independent power producers (IPPs) and utility company, whose power purchase agreements (PPAs) are ending soon. 

With stiff competition in the bidding process and escalating prices of natural gas, the cost structure of electricity produced using the H-Class gas turbine could be a key strength for Malaysian IPPs seeking new PPAs. 

Siemens is negotiating with several IPPs for the new power plant in Prai. “Once the project is on, it will be the first in Asean for the Siemens Class H gas turbine,” he said.

The SGT5-8000H gas turbine developed by Siemens forms the heart of the highly efficient combined cycle power plant with district heat extraction in Dusseldorf, Germany. The picture shows the assembly of the SGT5-8000H at the gas turbine plant in Berlin. (photo credit: Siemens)

Following the successful deployment of the SGT5-8000H in the Ulrich Hartmann power plant in Germany, Siemens is confident this technology is able to suit the Malaysian power requirement and meet the nation’s commitment to reduce carbon emission by 40% by 2020.