World's First Use of GE LM6000 as Synchronous Condenser Begins in Canada

S&S Energy Products announced that the world's first use of a GE LM6000 as a synchronous condenser is now operating in this mode for grid support at the 43 MW Poplar Hill power plant in northwestern Alberta, Canada.

Simultaneously, S&S Energy Products also finished replacing an existing LM6000 PC gas turbine with a PD model that features GE's Dry Low Emissions combustion system. This marks the first LM6000 PD to be placed into service by S&S Energy Products, and the first LM6000 PD to be operated in North America.

"With a specially-designed clutch, the gas turbine can be shut down while the generator remains synchronized to the grid, and is capable of supplying or absorbing reactive power. When real power is required, a signal is sent from the remote control center and the turbine is started and recoupled to the generator," said Russell Thompson, project manager at S&S Energy Products. "Plant owner ATCO Power expects to operate the LM6000 50% in power generation mode and 50% of the time in synchronous condensing service."

ATCO Power is an international independent power producer based in Alberta. The LM6000 originally began generating power in simple-cycle mode on Dec. 31, 1998 under a fast track schedule—just eight months after the signing of the contract. Power generated from the facility is sold to the non-regulated Alberta grid.

In September 1999, S&S Energy Products began a retrofit of the LM6000 to prepare it for synchronous condensing service. The retrofit included the installation of a clutch, manufactured by SSS Clutch Co. Ltd., in a packaged module designed to be inserted into S&S Energy Products' LM6000 split skid package. Other new equipment added includes the clutch lube oil system, and a complete re-work of the existing gas turbine control system.

S&S Energy Products, a GE Power Systems Business, is headquartered in Houston, Texas. S&S Energy Products is a packager of GE aeroderivative and Nuovo Pignone gas turbines. These turbine packages are utilized for a variety of power generation, mechanical drive and marine propulsion applications. S&S Energy Products supplies parts and services for all GE aeroderivative gas turbines, as well as non-GE gas turbines.

Edited by April C. Murelio
editor@poweronline.com