Future use of hybrid energy will lead to a consistent baseload, without the need for top-up via fossil fuels, anticipates Francesco Falco, chief commercial officer at GE Power Conversion.
"When using Silicon Carbide (SiC), – a diamond-like substance – instead of traditional silicon chips in a solar inverter, its high power density feature can reduce power losses by up to 50 percent," he explains.
SiC, a synthetically produced crystalline compound of silicon and carbon, was first discovered in an attempt to produce artificial diamonds and shares many of its properties, including strength and resistance to high temperatures. These diamond-like features, combined with electrical conductivity, make the material the ideal substitute for traditional semiconductors, giving it the potential to transform the power conversion methods used today.
“There are other huge potential gains to be made through such a 'small' change. If a 100-MW solar plant was to be just 1% more efficient, it could result in more than $2.5 million worth of additional energy being produced over the plant’s lifetime,” Falco told told Gas to Power Journal.
Upstream oil & gas applications
Tailoring the SiC technology to the specific needs of the oil and gas industry, GE facilitates cleaner gas compression through its Integrated Compressor Line (ICL). The system uses a high-speed electric motor and centrifugal compressor in a single sealed casing, replacing the need for a typical combustion engine. This leads to cleaner operation, higher performance and increased reliability.
“Nine ICLs, four with a power capacity of 14 MW, have been sold in Europe last year, according to GE. “Long-term partnerships, industry-wide collaboration can leverage partners’ commercial and industrial expertise to create synergies and help spur the industry forward,” Falco said with reference to an agreement, signed in November 2016 by GE and Eni.
The accord aims at developing renewable energy products and hybrid solutions around the world. These will include onshore and offshore wind farms, solar plants and hybrid gas-renewable projects. The focus will be on energy efficiency, including both new ventures and the conversion of existing mature or decommissioned assets.