GE Powers World's First Cruise Ship to Use COGES
In a world first, the Millennium, a Celebrity Cruises ship, started its 14-day maiden voyage July 1 powered by two GE LM2500+ aeroderivative gas turbines. The Millennium uses a combined gas turbine and steam turbine integrated electric drive system (COGES) configuration, which reduces environmental impact while creating additional cabin space and a smoother ride.
"Celebrity Cruises is incredibly enthusiastic about moving into the new millennium with a state-of-the-art cruise ship that blends the beauty and grandeur of turn-of-the-century luxury liners with breathtaking amenities and breakthrough technological advances," said James Lomonosoff, senior vice president of marketing for Celebrity Cruises. "The COGES ship, using GE's most advanced aeroderivative gas turbine technology, will dramatically reduce exhaust emissions, as well as noise and vibration."
Robert Nardelli, CEO and president of GE Power Systems, said the COGES configuration allows for a more efficient use of resources. Energy otherwise lost in the exhaust from the gas turbines is captured to produce steam from boilers for the steam turbines. The gas turbine-based system powers electric motors that move the ship through the water, he said.
The COGES configuration also provides for all on-board power requirements including ventilation systems, cabin lighting and entertainment systems. The high power density of the compact GE aeroderativative LM2500+ gas turbines enables the power plant to be installed in much less space than a diesel electric system. This arrangement frees up space for up to 50 additional passenger cabins on each ship, plus additional spaces for crew member cabins and public areas, Nardelli said.
S&S Energy Products, a GE Power Systems business unit and a GE Marine Engines Marine Systems supplier based in Houston, handled the engineering, gas turbine packaging and system integration for the ship's system.
Three additional Millennium-class cruise ships being built for Celebrity Cruises as well as four Vantage-class ships being built for sister company, Royal Caribbean International, plan to use LM2500+ gas turbine-generator sets for main propulsion and on-board power.
The first start-up of the gas turbines on the Millennium ship took place in January, and sea trials completed in April. A naming ceremony was held for the ship June 26 in South Hampton, United Kingdom. Chantiers de l'Atlantique in St. Nazaire, France, built the 91,000-ton Millennium ship. It measures 964.6 feet long and 105.6 feet wide and has a cruising speed of 24 knots. With 11 guest decks, the ship can carry 1,950 guests and 999 crew members.
Edited by April C. Murelio
editor@poweronline.com