Problems in Texas Cause Stopping of Advanced GE Turbine

Diving sheet:

• General Electric Thursday reported problems with one of its more advanced gas turbine engines.

• A GE 7HA turbine operated by Exelon at its Colorado Bend plant in Texas experienced an "oxidation problem" that necessitated the shutdown of the unit.

• GE expects other 7HA machines to be affected by the same problems, a spokesman told Utility Dive. GE shares fell 3.4% after the turbulence issue, leaving stocks just above their nine-year low of $ 12.22.

Dive Insight:

GE is trying to consolidate its power division by meeting the needs of the market for fast, high-performance machines. One of its best-performing turbines in this range, the 7HA, is currently experiencing problems.

An "oxidation problem" could cause problems to the components of the HA gas turbine, a problem serious enough to cause Exelon to shut down the affected unit, as well as three other units as a precautionary measure, reported Reuters. The problem was discovered during planned outages. An additional 10 7 ha are still in use in the United States.

Globally, GE has received 82 orders for the 7HA and shipped 51 of these machines, 30 of which have been installed since the first commissioning in France in 2016.

"We identified the solution and put a plan in place, and we worked proactively with customers on a case-by-case basis to deal with any affected units," GE spokesman Christopher Shigas said. "We expect the Exelon unit to return to service soon."

GE may end up having to compensate customers or make expensive design changes if the problem persists. GE is already struggling, and its energy division is facing an uncertain future with fixed power demand and switching to renewable energy.

"We expect minor adjustments to be made with any new technology, and we believe that the adjustments we are currently making will further improve the best turbine on the market," said Shigas.

The 7HA has recently set an efficiency record for Guinness when a turbine installed in Japan got a rate slightly above 63% in combined cycle mode.