Information contained in this news release is current as of the date of the press announcement, but may be subject to change without prior notice.
February 14, 2013
Tokyo, February 14, 2013 - Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501, "Hitachi") today announced the achievement of rated output at the 40MW-class test facility with the new gas turbine, AHAT (Advanced Humid Air Turbine) system*1, being co-developed with the Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry ("CRIEPI") and Sumitomo Precision Products Co., Ltd. ("SPP"). Through operations at this facility, it has been verified for the first time that the key components of the AHAT system can be applied to medium-class gas turbines. Further tests to confirm operating characteristics under various conditions and component reliability will be conducted while developing scale-up technology for application in a demonstration plant, to realize small-medium class (~ 200MW-class) highly efficient gas turbine generation systems.
There is a growing demand in recent years for highly efficient gas turbines to achieve economic efficiency and low environmental impact. Further, increased efficiency in operating rate to improve stable operations, environmental consideration, and optimization of operating costs are being required of thermal power generation. Gas Turbine Combined Cycle ("GTCC") generation*2 is used widely as a highly efficient power generation technology in gas thermal power generation but further development to increase efficiency and reduce costs is being anticipated. Also, as the mass introduction of renewable energy systems such as wind and solar is also taking place, a power adjustment system excelling in a fast start-up speed and load following capability, is becoming increasingly important.
To respond to these needs, Hitachi, CRIEPI and SPP have proceeded with the development of key technology for AHAT cycle power generation and its system verification since 2004, in a project supported by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan. Feasibility tests of the AHAT principle were completed in 2010 with a 3MW-class small gas turbine however as the system components such as the centrifugal compressor and a can-type combustor were configured for a small-class turbine, feasibility tests in a medium-class gas turbine with multi-stage axial-flow compressors and multi can-type combustors were required. Further, to contribute to lower environmental load, the reduction of NOx emissions was also an issue. Hitachi therefore developed a 40MW-class test facility to apply the AHAT technology developed to a medium-class gas turbine used in industry and combustor technology to achieve a reduction in NOx emission, and verified operation.
Features of the technology developed in the 40MW-class test facility are as below:
Through continued operations at this facility, further tests to confirm operating characteristics under various conditions and component reliability will be conducted to assess system characteristics of commercial AHAT equipment, while developing scale-up technology for application in a demonstration plant, to realize small-medium class ( ~ 200MW-class) highly efficient gas turbine generation systems.
Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company with approximately 320,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2011 (ended March 31, 2012) consolidated revenues totalled 9,665 billion yen. Hitachi is focusing more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes information and telecommunication systems, power systems, industrial, transportation and urban development systems, as well as the sophisticated materials and key devices that support them. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi.com.For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi.com.