Tyrol revolutionises lasting power

Jenbach, Austria; a pretty alpine village located in the heart of the Tyrolean Alps and the setting for GE Energy’s recent launch of the future of lasting power generation, the J920. Over 300 industry professionals from across the globe were on site at Jenbacher, when Prady Iyyanjki, CEO Jenbacher Gas Engines, GE Power & Water, accompanied by Dr. Bernhard Tilg, member of the Tyrolian government, presented GE Energy’s most powerful gas engine for power generation to date.
   
Developed under GE Energy’s global ‘ecomagination’ initiative, the J920 is GE Energy’s larger power generation gas engine, reinforcing the company as a pioneer in gas engine technology. With an electrical efficiency of 48.7 percent, and power generation of 9.5 megawatts (MW), the J920 is the most efficient in its class. 

A highly attractive solution from an environmental perspective, the J920’s supreme level of efficiency provides a host of benefits including a reduction in lifecycle costs, as well as lower fuel consumption, resulting in significant savings of greenhouse gas emissions.

Electrical efficiency and environmental benefits combined
This innovative gas engine, the newest, most powerful, most efficient gas engine ever developed by the company, will typically be used for applications such as CHP (Combined Heat & Power) and multiple engine power plants. Employing a three-module concept resulting in a top quality, standardised generator-set comprised of the engine itself, a generator and an auxiliary module produced at GE Energy’s Jenbacher plant in Austria, the J920 module is founded upon the proven core elements from the combustion systems used in GE’ Energys Jenbacher 6 series. The new J920 also has the advanced two-stage turbocharging system, a world first in the gas engine industry that was launched earlier this year in conjunction with the J624.

Considerable high efficiency levels of 90 percent and over can be achieved when the potential of the J920 is maximised for combined heat and power. In fact – compared to the separate production of heat and electricity, the engine achieves fuel savings of more than 130 million kWh of primary energy, which translates as 76,000 barrels of oil, approximately.

When speaking at the launch, Steve Bolze, President and CEO, GE Power & Water, declared, “as part of our ongoing technical investment strategy, the J920 engine represents our latest differentiated solution which offers decentralised power and top-of-its-class efficiency, reduced carbon emissions and a small, power-dense footprint.”

Optimised power solution for regions
The J920, GE Energy’s new, larger power generation gas engine, denotes GE Energy’s strength as the only gas engine specialist in the world to cover a full output range from 250kW to 10MW. Most suitable for decentralised, independent power supply in remote, hot or high altitude regions of rapidly developing countries, such as Brazil, the J920 serves as a real game-changer for the customer. The high power density of the new engine in ratio to comparatively low investment costs equates to easily identifiable benefits for customers, with the two-stage turbocharging ensuring stable and reliable power supply even under extreme conditions.

Furthermore, the engine takes a mere five minutes to reach full output, a feature that further increases its attractiveness for use as cover during peak demand times. Capable of providing enough energy for 18,500 average European households, compared to comparable gas engines – the J920 can prevent about 1,500t of CO2 emissions annually, the equivalent of about 800 average European cars, in the process. With potential fuel savings of more than ¤217,000 as a result of lower gas consumption, the J920 is not only environmentally beneficial but, in the long run, economically beneficial.

“Our new engine represents a response to the constant increase in the demands of our customers for higher output and efficiency and, at the same time, constitutes an important strategic step with regard to the long-term expansion of our company,” said Prady Iyyanki, CEO, Gas Engines, GE Power & Water.

The J920 goes hand-in-hand with GE Energy’s belief that to find the solutions to Europe’s energy challenges and succeed in the battle against climate change, Europe’s regions must play a central role.

“In global terms, decentralising energy could revolutionise the lives of billions of people who currently lack access to basic energy services. The share of new generation taken by decentralised power globally is on the increase. Also, a highly efficient, decentralised approach is better for the climate, and more secure. The development of green energy at regional level is critical and this new ground-breaking technology is set to play a key role”, said Ricardo Cordoba, President for Western Europe and North Africa, GE Energy.

“We are convinced that regions should find the way to take their future into their own hands in a responsible and autonomous way, especially concerning energy, which is an issue that affects the daily life of all citizens and their future, and is fundamental for the local development”, said Michèle Sabban, President of the Assembly of European Regions (AER).

Rosenheim – pioneering region for a pioneer in gas engine technology
Manufactured and assembled at GE Energy’s headquarters for Jenbacher gas engines in Austria, there are test benches specifically built and dedicated to this project. A large-scale pilot programme is currently underway which will see the new engine being delivered to the pilot customer, the “Stadtwerke” (the municipal utility company) in the town of Rosenheim, Germany. This test-phase will incorporate part of the validation process, a necessary step before serial production can begin. Throughout the pilot projects and the first phases of commercialisation, technical support will be provided by GE’ Energys Jenbacher gas engine specialists across a number of locations. 

CEO of the Stadtwerke in Rosenheim, Germany, Dr. Götz Brühl, was quick to express his enthusiasm for the project; “We are proud to be the first company to test the new engine under practical conditions. Up to now, GE Energy’s Jenbacher gas engines have stood out due to their durability, power density and excellent efficiency levels, which number among the best in the world.” He also stated that “the J920 exceeds other engines, thus setting a new benchmark for economics, resource conservation and environmental protection. I am convinced that this new engine will quickly establish itself, boosting the extension of combined heat and power plants and thus our most important energy efficiency and technology.”

A key player in GE’S portfolio
The launch of the J920 continues the previous successes enjoyed by GE Energy’s Jenbacher gas engine division this year. In June 2010, the Jenbacher gas engine division achieved another technological breakthrough with the world’s first two-staged turbocharged gas engine, the J624. The engine, which is also suited to operations in hot environments and combined heat and power (CHP) applications, offers an electrical efficiency of 46.5 percent.

Part of the GE family since 2003, Jenbacher, a gas engine manufacturer situated in Austria’s Tyrolean Alps, has become an extremely valuable asset, a point which Steve Bolze is keen to reinforce; “The Jenbacher business has been a great acquisition for GE, growing four-fold since being part of our portfolio.” GE Energy’s commitment to its Jenbacher gas engine division is emphasised by the fact that the J920 development is the biggest ever technology investment in the history of GE’s Jenbacher business.

This latest investment aims to take advantage of the strong and continuous growth that the business segment for gas engines of 5 MW and over has enjoyed. In fact, despite the current economic climate, research has shown that the 10 MW sector is worth $1bn.

Dr. Bernhard Tilg, member of the Tyrolian government said during his opening speech: “We are proud of this company, which for centuries has furnished Tyrol with employment and progress. GE Energy’s Jenbacher gas engine division numbers among Tyrol’s most important growth drivers and at the same time the company demonstrates that international success need not always derive from the urban surroundings of major cities.”

Calnetix acquisition
GE has also further strengthened its competitive advantage in the industry with a recent acquisition, Calnetix. Calnetix Power Solutions, a producer of innovative small-scale Waste Heat to Power systems, has been included in GE Energy’s Jenbacher division – as Heat Recovery Solutions. The Heat Recovery Solutions business provides GE with technologies that can be integrated with various types of engines, biomass boilers, and gas turbines.

“This suite of technology is a natural fit for our business,” said Prady Iyyanki. “By adding Heat Recovery Solutions’ capabilities to our existing portfolio of turbines and engines using waste gases or other alternative energy sources, we are now well positioned to become the industry’s waste heat to power expert.”

Future developments
Representing a quantum leap in gas engine technology for GE Energy, this incredible new Jenbacher gas engine positions GE Energy as major force in the production of viable and innovative power solutions. Prady Iyyanki declared, “We have once again confirmed our technological and innovative leadership.” 

Future developments for the J920 include positioning the engine as a fuel-flexible engine. In the first instance it runs on natural gas and this will soon be followed by other gases of high resource availability such as syngas etc. for its main applications IPP (Independent Power supply) and CHP (Combined Heat & Power). The J920, which will be commercially available for use in applications in 50 and 60 Hz countries from 2012, adds to GE Energy’s unparalleled technological and innovative advances and ensures that the company’s 50 years of experience will continue for many years to come.