GE and Toshiba to bring FlexEfficiency power plant technology to Japan

The companies will mutually promote new combined-cycle power plants for projects in Japan, and other Asian countries as well.

Building on a relationship that has spanned 80 years, GE and Toshiba Corporation of Japan are bringing GE’s breakthrough FlexEfficiency gas turbine technology to Japan and other key countries in Asia, the two companies announced today at POWER-GEN Asia 2011.

Under the terms of a memorandum of understanding signed today, GE and Toshiba have agreed to mutually promote new combined-cycle power plants with GE Frame 9FB Gas Turbines incorporating GE’s FlexEfficiency technology and Toshiba’s high efficiency steam turbine-generators for projects in Japan and other Asian countries, as agreed upon by GE and Toshiba.

GE’s FlexEfficiency technology, an innovative solution for meeting the world’s growing demand for cleaner and more efficient energy, is being officially launched for the Asian market at POWER-GEN Asia.

Introduced earlier this year, the technology is engineered to deliver an unprecedented combination of flexibility and efficiency. The new FlexEfficiency technology delivers the highest fuel efficiency in the industry, a key feature required by customers across Asia. By rapidly ramping up and down in response to fluctuations in wind and solar power, the technology will enable the integration of more renewable resources into the power grid.

In addition, the high performance of 9FB Gas Turbines offers significant potential for meeting not only conventional power but also cogeneration needs across Asia, a high-growth area for natural gas-fired power generation. The 9FB Gas Turbine is a reliable, base load machine that can save fuel costs and reduce emissions today, with the flexibility to accommodate increases in renewable energy penetration in the grid of tomorrow.

“Both GE and Toshiba see rich opportunities for our FlexEfficiency offering in Japan and elsewhere in the Asia region over the next few years,” said Paul Browning, president and CEO—thermal products for GE Energy. “By facilitating the integration of more renewable energy into the power grid, this technology is a good fit for countries like Japan that are turning to renewable solutions, such as wind and solar, to meet more of their power needs.”

“GE is at work connecting people and ideas everywhere to create advanced technologies that power a cleaner, more productive world. FlexEfficiency, which is the result of an investment of more than $500 million in research and development by GE, illustrates that commitment,” Browning added.

“The relationship between GE and Toshiba has developed into one of the best alliance models the global power industry,” said Yoshihiro Aburatani, general manager—Thermal & Hydro Power Systems & Services Division of Toshiba. “Toshiba has delivered turnkey solutions geared by its efficient steam turbine for several of GE’s state-of-the-art gas turbines in many countries in Asia and the Middle East. We are very excited to be adding GE’s latest and most advanced gas turbine technology to our already powerful portfolio of energy offerings. We believe it is the right solution for our customers who are looking for high efficiency and flexible power generation.”

GE and Toshiba have worked together for eight decades, including nearly 30 years in the gas turbine sector. Over that time, the two companies have jointly installed 31 gas turbines for projects in Japan, totaling 7,993 megawatts of power. In addition to being a long-term GE gas turbine manufacturing associate, Toshiba also has a joint venture with GE to provide repair services for gas and steam turbines in Japan.

Earlier this year, GE signed an agreement with Harbin Electric Co. Ltd. to bring FlexEfficiency technology to China. As part of that agreement, Harbin plans to purchase four 9FB gas turbines before the end of 2013, including two that will incorporate FlexEfficiency technology.

GE also has announced that FlexEfficiency was selected for the world’s first Integrated Renewables Combined Cycle Power Plant, to be developed by MetCap Energy Investments of Turkey. By designing the plant from a total equipment and control systems perspective and utilizing the flexibility of FlexEfficiency technology, engineers are able to seamlessly integrate natural gas, wind and solar thermal power.