GE and its long-standing customer Southern California Edison (SCE) have unveiled a plan to install the world’s first battery storage and gas turbine hybrid.
Image credit: www.genewsroom.com
According to Phil Herrington, Vice President of Generation for SCE, the two-project solution first involves the installation of a battery energy storage system from Current, powered by GE, followed by upgrades to a GE LM6000 gas turbine to integrate the two systems.
“GE’s new LM6000 Hybrid EGT product fits well with SCE’s objective of providing cost–effective, innovative solutions that enhance grid reliability, flexibility, and fast response for our customers,” Mr Herrington said.
Scheduled to be deployed at two SCE sites in the coming months, the LM6000 Hybrid EGT was developed in response to changing regulations and grid requirements in the wake of California’s Aliso Canyon energy crisis earlier this year.
Eric Gebhardt, Chief Platforms & Operations Officer for Current, powered by GE, said the solution answers a critical need for Southern California, where regulations on natural gas usage and storage are changing in the wake of the aforementioned energy crisis.
He said GE’s Power Services and Current businesses worked to develop the joint solution in a competitive offer in collaboration with Wellhead Power Solutions, LLC.
“This was truly a best-in-class joint effort by Southern California Edison, our partners at Wellhead Power Solutions, and multiple GE businesses to enhance our technology and add Current’s battery storage system to existing GE turbines,” Mr Gebhardt added.
“As a team, we worked together to quickly provide a complete scope of the challenge and find a solution in a very short time frame. Now we can bring this same technology to other GE gas turbine customers around the world.”
Paul McElhinney, President and CEO of GE’s Power Services, said the LM6000 Hybrid EGT product integrates a 10 MW battery energy storage system from Current and an existing GE LM6000 aeroderivative gas turbine with control system upgrades provided by GE’s Power Services.
He said the system will allow the turbine to operate in standby mode without using fuel and enable immediate response to changing energy dispatch needs.
According to him, the LM6000 Hybrid EGT will save fuel, reduce maintenance costs and cut down on greenhouse gas emissions by eliminating the need to constantly run the turbines at minimum loads to maintain spinning reserves.
“We are excited to launch this innovative hybrid solution to provide immediate power, increase the flexibility of our gas turbines, leverage new software controls solutions and increase customer competitiveness,” Mr McElhinney continued.
“With our total plant solutions capabilities, we are able to help California increase its grid efficiency and help SCE deliver more affordable energy in a changing marketplace.”
According to GE’s press release, the battery energy storage system is expected to be installed and operational by the end of 2016, with the updated and integrated turbine controls scheduled to be operational in early 2017.
