GE’s gas power plant technology chosen to retire coal power plant
GE announced an order from community-owned Colorado Springs Utilities (“Springs Utilities”) for six of its advanced LM2500XPRESS* aeroderivative gas turbine packages to help Springs Utilities bridge the gap and power the downtown area until a new transmission line is completed in 2025.
In alignment with Colorado’s goals to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, electricity generation, and other sectors, Colorado Springs Utilities’ Board committed to retiring the coal-fired Martin Drake Power Plant by Dec. 31, 2022—12 years earlier than previously planned.
GE’s recently debuted LM2500XPRESS power plant technology will help Springs Utilities acquire the flexibility they need to bring more renewables onto their system and move forward with the retirement of Martin Drake. Consistent with their Energy Vision, they are now on the path to reduce carbon emissions from their electricity service by at least 80% by 2030, from 2005 levels.
The 34-megawatt (MW) LM2500XPRESS units are the first of their kind to be installed in North America and expected to start commercial operation by the summer of 2022. Using the highly mobile nature of the units—which can be moved on trailers—the LM2500XPRESS units will eventually be relocated to other sites in the Colorado Springs area.
“The LM2500XPRESS units were purchased to provide safe, affordable and reliable generation to support the increased use of renewable solar and wind power,” said Colorado Springs Utilities CEO Aram Benyamin. “These natural gas units will help us better integrate renewable energy sources, further reduce CO2 emissions, and accelerate the retirement of the Martin Drake Power Plant.”
GE’s LM2500XPRESS power generators are 95% factory assembled into simplified modules and provide a “plug and play” concept that can be installed in less than three weeks. This makes the units ideal to bring fast power to the grid when needed. Each power block comprises a GE LM2500* aeroderivative gas turbine modular package, gas compressor and emissions control system. In addition, there is a black start diesel generator included to provide start-up capability in case of grid events.
*Trademark of General Electric Company
- Gasum powers Equinor's platform supply vessel with bio-LNG
- Oman plans third LNG train, boosting domestic production to more than 15 MMtpy
- ADNOC deploys pioneering AI-enabled process optimization technology
- Mexico Pacific announces long-term LNG SPA with POSCO International
- ONEOK to acquire Medallion and controlling interest in EnLink for $5.9 B
Comments