GE Technology to Supply Efficient, Flexible Power for Mexican Cogeneration Plant

Press release from GE.  Not Renewable Energy in the strictest sense, but possibly still of interest.

22 May 2012

GE Technology to Supply Efficient, Flexible Power for Mexican Cogeneration Plant

 

• GE to Provide Two LM6000-PF Aeroderivative Gas Turbine Packages
• New Plant to Produce Electricity, Steam for ALPEK Petrochemical Complex
• Project Supports Mexico Government’s Cogeneration Initiative

HOUSTON, TEXAS—May 22, 2012—GE’s (NYSE: GE) proven, flexible and efficient LM6000 aeroderivative gas turbine technology has been selected for the ALPEK Cogeneration project at its subsidiary Petrotemex’s site in Cosoleacaque, Veracruz, Mexico. Supporting the Mexican government’s initiative to encourage more efficient power generation, the cogeneration plant will produce more than 85 megawatts of electricity and all the site’s steam requirements.

GE’s aeroderivative gas turbine business recently signed a multimillion-dollar contract to supply two LM6000-PF gas turbine-generator packages to a joint venture including Schrader Camargo of Mexico and Sener of Spain, who are the engineering, procurement and construction contractors for the project. Announced earlier this month at the GE-CONCAMIN Cogeneration Forum, the cogeneration project will likely lead to local job creation and help spur industrial growth in the region.

“We worked very closely with GE to develop the most competitive and efficient solution for ALPEK,” said Felipe Garza Medina, president of Petrotemex. “We determined that GE offered the best combination of cost and performance fit to meet the specific requirements of this cogeneration application.”

In the cogeneration process, a single fuel source, such as natural gas, is used to produce both electrical and thermal energy. An on-site cogeneration system is more efficient than a utility-operated central power plant since thermal energy that would otherwise be wasted is captured for use at the on-site facility.

Powered by the two GE LM6000-PF units, the ALPEK Cogeneration plant will operate at 85 percent thermal efficiency. The gas-fired facility will begin commercial service in the first quarter of 2014.

The LM6000-PF offers high efficiency, 10-minute start times, competitive maintenance and outstanding availability and reliability. The units for ALPEK will feature DLE technology, which does not use water and guarantees low emissions.

“Defining a new era of flexible power generation, GE’s proven LM6000 technology provides an economical and efficient solution for the needs of the industrial sector,” said Darryl Wilson, vice president—aeroderivative gas turbines for GE Power & Water. “We see strong opportunity for this technology in Mexico where activity in the private industrial sector is increasing, due to low gas prices and the government’s strong support for cogeneration.”

The ALPEK Cogeneration project illustrates how GE’s comprehensive suite of distributed power solutions—ranging in size from 100 kilowatts to 100 megawatts—can help customers worldwide generate more reliable, on-site electricity and heat. The project also underscores GE’s growing presence in the refinery/petrochemicals industry. GE’s dedicated Global Industries organization is bringing energy management, CHP and other waste-to-value solutions to the petrochemical industry, benefitting the companies involved as well as surrounding communities.

About GE

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GE Energy works connecting people and ideas everywhere to create advanced technologies for powering a cleaner, more productive world. With more than 100,000 employees in over 100 countries, our diverse portfolio of product and service solutions and deep industry expertise help our customers solve their challenges locally. We serve the energy sector with technologies in such areas as natural gas, oil, coal and nuclear energy; wind, solar, biogas and water processing; energy management; and grid modernization. We also offer integrated solutions to serve energy- and water-intensive industries such as mining, metals, marine, petrochemical, food & beverage and unconventional fuels.