Gas Turbine Generator Set News

GE Marine’s LM2500 aeroderivative marine gas turbine now powers the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) recently commissioned HMAS Canberra Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ship, the first of two LHDs to be introduced into the RAN fleet. According to the RAN’s website, “Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett said that the commissioning was a step towards developing the future of the Navy. ‘HMAS Canberra is an exciting addition to the Royal Australian Navy. HMAS Canberra also marks another…

GE Marine and Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company (DSIC) announced at the SMM 2014 exhibition they have received Approval in Principle (AIP) for their jointly developed gas turbine-powered LNG carrier design. The AIP, issued by Lloyd’s Register, was sought for this LNG carrier since this is an innovative and novel concept not covered by traditional classification rules. It was late 2013 when the three companies initially announced the gas turbine LNG design and then swiftly set out to obtain AIP.

Converteam in partnership with the U.S. Navy have successfully tested the DDG 1000’s high voltage Integrated Power System (IPS)(1) to full power at the Land Based Test Site located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. DDG 1000 is the first U.S. Navy surface combatant to leverage this technology—an all-electric architecture providing electric power for both propulsion and ship services. As the integrated power systems provider, Converteam is responsible for the entire program’s high voltage system design, commissioning and testing at the land based test site. The test demonstrated full power operations of the IPS, which is a major milestone prior to delivery of equipment to the ship.

GE announced that three new cruise ships recently went into service powered by GE LM aeroderivative gas turbines. The three ships -- Serenade of the Seas, Island Princess and Oosterdam -- each took their maiden voyage during July 2003. “GE is delighted to see the number of cruise ships continue to rise steadily that rely on our reliable and efficient LM gas turbines for propulsion as well as onboard power,” said Karl Matson, general manager of GE Marine Engines. “To date, 22 LM2500+ and four LM2500 GE gas turbine-generator sets are in operation or slated for service on 21 cruise ships.

The world’s largest transatlantic liner, the Queen Mary 2, set sail on its maiden voyage powered by two GE LM2500+ aeroderivative gas turbine-generator sets and four diesel generator-sets. The new flagship of the British merchant fleet, owned by Cunard Line, will take 14 days to sail from Southampton in the United Kingdom to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. A special highlight of Queen Mary 2’s inaugural schedule will be her maiden eastbound crossing from New York on April 25 as both Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2 sail in tandem.

The world’s largest transatlantic liner, the Queen Mary 2, set sail on its maiden voyage powered by two GE LM2500+ aeroderivative gas turbine-generator sets and four diesel generator-sets. The new flagship of the British merchant fleet, owned by Cunard Line, will take 14 days to sail from Southampton in the United Kingdom to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. A special highlight of Queen Mary 2’s inaugural schedule will be her maiden eastbound crossing from New York on April 25 as both Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2 sail in tandem.

The natural progression is underway from installation, design and commissioning of GE gas turbines aboard cruise ships to cooperation with users to further enhance operations. GE is focusing its efforts on optimizing maintenance and improved system reliability, the company reported today at the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention. "The use of gas turbines to power cruise ships was long in coming, so it seems fitting that the four years since the world's first gas turbine-powered cruise ship set out on its maiden voyage have gone by quickly," said Karl Matson, general manager of GE Marine. Celebrity Cruises' Millennium is the first cruise ship to use gas turbines.

Keeping pace with the fast-evolving maritime industry is a mantra at GE Marine with its LM aeroderivative gas turbine line. Going forward, GE Marine will see its LM gas turbines applied in several novel and state-of-the-art military and commercial marine projects. One military application in particular — the Office of Naval Research's (ONR) new X-Craft (pictured left) high-speed catamaran — will use two LM2500 in a COmbined Diesel Or Gas turbine (CODOG) configuration with two MTU 16V 595 TE90 diesel engines with a corresponding gearbox and four waterjets. The propulsion system will enable the vessel to reach speeds of 50 knots. According to GE, the X-Craft will set the stage for the U.S. Navy's next generation of warship, the Littoral Combat Ship.

Since Royal Caribbean decided to embrace the advanced marine propulsion technology inherent with gas turbines, power plants aboard cruise ships built and delivered in the new millennium could be much different. Even if all newbuilds do not incorporate gas turbine power, other propulsion suppliers such as diesel manufacturers will be driven by this new competitor in a previously diesel dominated domain — along by new and increasingly stringent environmental emission requirements — to continuously improve their designs in order to meet future needs. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity selected a COmbined Gas turbine and Steam turbine Electric drive System (COGES) for their new ships.

GE Transportation's marine gas turbine business has launched a program to obtain American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) certification, to the Steel Vessel and the new Naval Vessel Rules, for its LM6000 aeroderivative gas turbine. GE plans to certify the LM6000 at a power level greater than 36 megawatts based on United States Navy standard day conditions (100oF). "The LM6000 has been operating for more than 10 years in diverse marine environments. In fact, LM6000s have accumulated more than 290,000 hours on floating, production, storage and off-loading vessels, and aboard commercial power barges and offshore platforms," said Karl Matson, general manager of GE Transportation's marine business, Evendale, Ohio.

Wärtsilä has decided to cooperate with MTS within the marine e-business market and has through the MTS infrastructure integrated its Spares Online service. Spares Online gives ship owners/operators full control of their parts ordering and delivery process directly in their existing purchasing system. Spares Online keeps track of all ship owners / operators installations and provides an updated view of the equipment installed in their plant. GE Transportation's marine gas turbine business has launched a program to obtain American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) certification, to the Steel Vessel and the new Naval Vessel Rules, for its LM6000 aeroderivative gas turbine. GE plans to certify the LM6000 at a power level greater than 36 MW based on U.S. Navy standard day conditions (100oF).

Rolls-Royce delivered the first three gas turbine generator sets which will provide the main electrical power system for the Republic of Korea Navy’s first 7,000-tonne destroyer, designated KDX-III. The first AG9140RF gas turbine generator set was produced at the Rolls-Royce Indianapolis plant, and the other two were assembled by Samsung Techwin from Rolls-Royce supplied kits. The first KDX-III destroyer, which is currently under construction, will be delivered to the Korean Navy by the end of 2008. Another six generator sets, being assembled by Samsung Techwin from Rolls-Royce supplied kits, will be supplied to the other two KDX-III destroyers that are scheduled to be built The alternator for the generator set is planned to be produced by Hyundai under license.

Marine announced that Holland America Line’s (HAL) Noordam cruise ship recently began operating powered by one LM2500 gas turbine-generator set in a COmbined Diesel And Gas turbine (CODAG) configuration. This brings the total to 17 cruise ships powered by GE gas turbines, the company reported at the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Conference. The Noordam’s maiden voyage was on February 22, 2006. Routes include destinations in the eastern Caribbean and Europe. The 950-foot long ship can carry 1,918 passengers and a crew of 800, with a maximum speed of 24 knots. The Noordam is the last of four ships in Holland American Line’s Vista class; the three other Vista-class ships – Zuiderdam, Oosterdam, and Westerdam – also are powered by GE LM2500 gas turbines in a CODAG configuration.

The new Rolls-Royce MT30 marine gas turbine has been selected to power the Integrated Power System (IPS) Engineering Development Model (EDM) for the US Navy's DD(X) multimission destroyer program. This order marks the company's entry into the U.S. Navy large gas turbine market. Grumman to drive the IPS EDM at the U.S. Philadelphia Division Land Based Test Facility (LBTF). 4MW generator set in conjunction with LBTF IPS testing. year in which the US Navy designated Northrop Grumman as DD(X) design agent. "The U.S. Navy is seeking transformational technology. technology into a unique marine power system. Northrop Grumman to serve the US Navy," said Patrick J. Rolls-Royce Naval Marine Inc. selected for two prestigious defense programs in a matter of weeks.

Waller Marine, Inc., took delivery of two 30 MW power barges from the Friede Goldman Offshore shipyard, Pascagoula, MS, in April 2001 and immediately loaded the vessels on the M.V. Smit Express for their dry tow to Lagos, Nigeria. The 60 MWs of power will be connected to other similar vessels, delivering much needed electricity to the city of Lagos. Each power barge was designed by Waller to ABS River Rule standards, each supporting a single General Electric, frame 6B, industrial gas turbine generator set, controls, switchgear, main transformer and associated equipment. Waller contracted Friede Goldman for the vessel's construction, installation and testing under a fast track schedule to deliver the units to Lagos. Waller is currently designing power barges for installation in U.S.