Flexible power solutions
Gas turbine technology offers energy security through the production of more reliable, flexible and sustainable electricity that firms and complements renewable power sources. Grid firming solutions (i.e. capacity firming, or renewable grid firming) with gas turbines helps meet power demand and maintain grid stability in the face of potential wind and solar intermittencies, and when battery systems are depleted.
min. or less start times
output range
daily starts and stops for select models
This paper explores the current availability of gas turbines equipped with synchronous condensing capabilities and batteries utilizing grid-forming inverters as viable solutions to enhance grid stability, thereby helping to ensure a more reliable and sustainable electricity supply.
Benefits
While renewable resources offer the lowest operational costs and fewest greenhouse gas emissions, their variability can present overcapacity and intermittency challenges. Here is how gas turbines can support you grid firming operations:
Enhanced reliability: Tackle renewable variability with steady, flexible power that meets demand.
Fast starts: Connect to the grid quickly, even during power emergencies
Flexibility: Stabilize an intermittent grid with a fast ramp rate, high part load efficiency, low minimum load, and deeper turndown.
Stable operations: Generate power during low renewables, bad weather, or depleted battery storage (BESS).
Ancillary services assistance: Access grid stabilizing technology during times of renewable intermittencies.
Synchronous condensing: Connect the grid to the generator during outages to help supply fault current and inertia without fuel.
Modularity: Standardized, interchangeable components simplify installation, maintenance and repairs.
Mobility: GE Vernova’s aero technology is easily transported between sites.
Grid firming scenarios
We provide scalable power solutions rooted in better flexibility and reliability. GE Vernova’s heavy duty and aeroderivative gas turbines offer grid firming solutions to help bridge the gap between power supply and demand. The examples shown here are representative. Contact us to discuss your specific challenges, and goals. Our team is ready to help develop the right solution.
This configuration provides flexible reserve capacity and grid stabilizing services to balance intermittencies of renewable energy resources. Grid firming assets can include gas turbines, synchronous condensers, and batteries with inverters.
Gas turbines with synchronous condensing capabilities function in two modes to achieve the following:
Until a grid connection becomes available, island bridging power solutions can help deliver electricity quickly. Modular infrastructure like aeroderivative gas turbines can help fill the energy gap with fast installations and start times in as little as five minutes.
Once prime power comes online, customers can then employ their bridging assets in the following scenarios:
Plants can help utilize their assets during periods of high demand to offset elevated costs or as back up to grid availability.
Bridging power resources can be relocated to another site.
Microgrids offer more flexible, localized power generation systems capable of operating independently or connected to the grid. By integrating various energy sources, including renewables, battery energy storage, and gas turbines, microgrids offer a low carbon power supply, even during widespread disruptions like extreme weather. Microgrid configurations can offer a competitive tariff as well as:
Thermal generation grid firming assets are essential in helping to ensure that the grid remains reliable, balanced, and stable.
Gas turbines and BESS can provide ancillary services, including:
Products
GE Vernova’s 9HA high efficiency, air-cooled gas turbine is one of the industry leaders among H-class offerings, and now the 9HA gas turbine is at the heart of the world's most efficient combined-cycle power plant.
With over 450 units deployed to more than 40 countries, GE Vernova has the largest operating and most experienced OEM F-class fleet in the world. Our 9F gas turbine delivers consistent performance and accommodates a diverse range of fuels, making it great for a variety of combined cycle and CHP applications.
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9F series turbines are GE’s most advanced F-class technology for 50 Hz applications.
GE’s 7HA high efficiency air-cooled gas turbine is one of the industry leaders among advanced class gas turbine offerings and is available in three models—the 7HA.01 at 290 MW, the 7HA.02 at 384 MW, and the 7HA.03 at 430 MW.
The demands of today’s power generation industry are many: low cost of electricity, dispatch volatility, along with high efficiency, reliability, and asset availability. With approximately 950 installed units producing ~175GW of power in 11 countries, GE’s 7F.04 and 7F.05 gas turbines are proven performers in all these areas.
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7F series gas turbines can balance renewables by load-following at 40 MW/min ramp rates while maintaining emissions compliance.
With unprecedented operational flexibility, robust engineering and long operation intervals, the GT13E2 can be used in many different applications—all while meeting a very broad range of environment and operating conditions.
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GT13e2 gas turbines can run on up to 30% hydrogen fuel.
Formerly known as the Frame 9E, GE Vernova’s 9E gas turbine can help decrease costs and increase revenue for your plant. From the desert to the tropics to the arctic, the rugged 9E.03 heavy-duty gas turbine provides essential power and performs in a vast number of duty cycles and applications. The 9E.04 gas turbine provides increased power and performance while maintaining the simplicity and operational strengths of the 9E.03.
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9E series gas turbines can run on 52 types of fuel.
A single, economical solution for the dispatch needs of nearly every industry condition.
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LMS100 gas turbines can start up in 8 minutes
The 7E.03 gas turbine is recognized as an industry leader for 60 Hz industrial power applications. Its robust architecture and operational flexibility make it well-suited for a variety of peaking, cyclic, and baseload operations. With state-of-the-art fuel handling equipment, multi-fuel combustion system options, and advanced gas path features, the 7E gas turbine can accommodate a full range of fuel alternatives while helping to deliver better efficiency and lower emissions than other technologies in its class.
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7E series gas turbines can deliver 100% load in 10 minutes.
GE Vernova’s 6F gas turbine offers the superior performance, reliability, and flexibility typically associated with larger power plants. Our 6F gas turbine packs big power into a small package, offering durability and flexibility for harsh, remote, or floating power environments. Whether it be for 50 or 60 Hz, the 6F gas turbine can maintain enhanced output and exhaust energy for combined cycle and CHP performance. The 6F offers segment-leading 32,000-hour combustion and hot gas path inspection intervals.
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6F gas turbines offer fuel flexibility and hydrogen capability while maintaining the reliability you’ve come to depend on
A leader in the +40 MW space, the LM6000 has over 40 million operating hours and more than 1,300 units shipped.
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LM6000 gas turbines can start up in 5 minutes
Its ability to operate in island mode, coupled with multiple decades of proven rugged performance, make the 6B an excellent solution for remote installations and extreme operating conditions. The rugged, reliable 6B heavy-duty gas turbine is a popular choice for refineries, natural gas liquefaction power, CHP applications, and industrial power.
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6B gas turbines can operate on a wide range of non-standard gas or liquid fuels, including over 90% hydrogen
The LM2500 family of aeroderivative gas turbines boasts several times the operating experience of its competitors combined, and its flexibility and reliability are unsurpassed.
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LM2500 gas turbines feature >99.8% availability
Introducing one of the world’s most modular, reliable, and experienced mobile gas turbines.
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TM2500 gas turbines can be installed and commissioned in 11 days
Featured webinars
Video
Discover the grid capacity firming capabilities that help make GE Vernova’s aeroderivative gas turbines great for balancing the electrical grid.
Global Data Centers and Hydrogen Commercialization Director Ihab Chaban dives into the benefits of aeroderivative gas turbines in the grid firming space. Although renewables typically yield lower operational costs and emit less greenhouse gases, they can present challenges such as intermittency and lack of synchronous inertia. Aero technology can help keep the grid balanced during these periods.
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