The successful first turbine start-up confirms the engine and auxiliary systems – including the gas supply, lube oil system, control system and startup systems – are working together as designed, Siemens noted. During first fire, the SGT6-9000HL ramped up to a pre-determined test speed, and the combustion system ignited.
The SGT6-9000HL is at the heart of a new fast-ramp, simple-cycle gas power unit at Duke Energy’s Lincoln station. Siemens delivered the 340-ton turbine in November 2019, and supervised commissioning of the 402 MW unit.
Four year testing plan
After the first phase of testing is completed, the SGT6-9000HL will continue its four-year testing plan (2020-2024), gradually introducing technologies to achieve the next level of efficiency. The unit will operate in simple-cycle mode under real-world power plant conditions, allowing Siemens to continually assess and optimize the performance while gaining valuable commercial operating experience.
The architecture of HL-class engines consist of an air-cooled four-stage power turbine, hydraulic clearance optimization for high-efficiency at full load while facilitating immediate restart. The steel rotor design has Hirth serrations, a can-annular combustion system.
With a ramp-up rate of 85 MW per minute, the turbine maximizes operational flexibility to help integrate fluctuating supply of renewable energy sources. Inspection intervals of intervals of 33,000 equivalent base-hours and 1,250 equivalent starts, mean the unit is highly reliable and has low life-cycle costs.
Hand-over to Duke in 2024
When all testing is completed in 2024, Siemens will turn over the advanced unit to Duke Energy. The unit will be the most efficient of its type in Duke Energy’s fleet, generating enough energy to power more than 300,000 homes in the Carolinas.
Investing in natural gas technology will also help Duke Energy close coal plants faster and reach its aggressive goals for cutting carbon emissions by at least 50% by 2030.