GE Technology to Convert Conventional Plant into the Country’s Largest Cogeneration Facility
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO [WorldofRenewables.com]
GE (NYSE: GE) gas turbine technology will be used to convert a conventional power plant into the first large-scale cogeneration plant in Mexico, which will offer increased efficiency and will supply process steam to one of the country’s most important natural gas complexes. The project supports the Mexican government’s initiative to promote cogeneration as a key step in improving the efficiency of the country’s energy infrastructure.
The Mexican Congress passed energy reform legislation in 2008, as part of the country’s commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% below 2002 levels by the year 2050. The government is promoting combined heat and power, or cogeneration, as an energy efficient option to help meet the country’s energy goals.
Cogeneration, the simultaneous production of electricity and heat using a single fuel such as natural gas, harnesses heat that would otherwise be wasted. This can result in higher thermal efficiency or higher heat values; also, carbon dioxide emissions can be substantially reduced.
GE will supply two Frame 7FA gas turbines for Nuevo PEMEX, a 300-megawatt cogeneration plant located in the state of Tabasco, Mexico. GE’s 7FA gas turbine has the capability to burn natural gas with high nitrogen content, which fits the profile of the available fuel at the Nuevo PEMEX site. In addition, GE has signed a 20-year Contractual Service Agreement (CSA) to provide a full range of plant services, including planned and unplanned maintenance.
The new cogeneration plant will be owned by a consortium made up of Abener and Abengoa Mexico and will supply steam and power to PEMEX, Mexico’s state-owned oil and gas company, for use at PEMEX’s existing natural gas processing facility at the site. The cogeneration plant will be able to generate between 550 and 800 tons of process steam per hour.
Abener and GE Energy have worked together successfully on a wide range of global projects to date. Abener and Abengoa Mexico are part of Abeinsa, the Industrial Engineering and Construction arm of the Abengoa business group.
“With our advanced technology and global experience, we are well positioned to help our customers meet their energy and environmental goals,” said John Reinker, General Manager of Gas Turbine Combined-Cycle Products for GE Power & Water. “Our F-technology machines are well proven in a wide range of power generation applications worldwide, and have the flexibility to meet the specific requirements of large-scale cogeneration projects.”
Source: GE
