Siemens’ power plant in Germany has achieved “world record levels” of over 60% efficiency.
The SGT5-8000H gas turbine at the Irsching 4 plant in Bavaria, Germany, operated at 60.75% efficiency with an output of more than 578 megawatts (MW).
Michael Suess, CEO of Siemens Energy Sector hailed the potential to lower emissions on a wider scale: “These are historic dimensions and world record levels.
“The new generation of our combined cycle power plants, for example, consumes one-third less natural gas per kilowatt-hour generated than the average for the combined cycle plants currently installed worldwide. At the same time, CO2 emissions also drop by a third.”
They could be “a decisive factor for maintaining grid stability” with the introduction of more intermittent sources of energy like wind and solar, he added.
Klaus Hammer, COO of E.ON, which will take over commercial operation of the plant this Summer, said the technology was a step in the right direction for climate change: “The Irsching 4 power plant is a prime example of ecofriendly, flexible power supply for the future.”
The new H class plant can also quickly up or cut demand. Siemens claims that more than 500 MW can be put online in the space of only 30 minutes.