Assistant Editor, Turbomachinery International Magazine

Timothy Lukac

Sapphire Gas Solutions ("Sapphire") and Bauer Compressors ("Bauer") are entering into a national partnership. The partnership allows Sapphire to deploy, construct, and maintain an array of Bauer manufactured gas compressors and provide OEM parts servicing multiple industries covering the countries of Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

Sapphire engages in various aspects of the compressed natural gas (CNG) industry, including station design, construction, and maintenance services. The design phase typically focuses on factors such as safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance to develop optimized station layouts. During construction, Sapphire ensures adherence to industry standards and best practices. Upon completion of the stations, the company provides a range of maintenance services.

In addition to their collaboration, Bauer and Sapphire are both seeking to minimize methane leaks by employing advanced emission reduction technology. This includes cross compression services, which provide a decrease in fugitive emissions and flaring prevention when the gas commodity needs to be vacated from the pipeline. It also applies to being released into the atmosphere, for planned or unplanned inspection or maintenance on major utility pipelines.

Bauer's compression technology, which is implemented and maintained by Sapphire, covers a broad array of applications within the gas industry. These applications include virtual pipeline systems, which facilitate the transportation of natural gas from production sites to end-users without the need for traditional pipeline infrastructure. The technology also supports both public and private CNG and hydrogen refueling stations.

It also addresses the challenges associated with Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) boil-off compression, a process that manages the vaporization of LNG during storage and transportation. This technology contributes to improved efficiency and safety in the handling of LNG. Additionally, the technology is applicable to pipeline cross compression, a technique that optimizes pressure management in gas transportation networks.

Other work the company does is involved in biomethane compression and upgrading processes. These processes involve capturing biogas from organic waste, compressing it, and removing impurities to produce high-quality biomethane suitable for various applications, including injection into natural gas grids or use as vehicle fuel.

Articles

Sapphire Gas Solutions and Bauer Compressors collaborate through compression technologies. This partnership streamlines CNG station design, construction, and maintenance while addressing emission reduction in multiple applications.

Sapphire Gas Solutions & Bauer Compressors Partner for Compression Technologies in the North American Gas Industry 

Companies in the power generation and energy sectors are adapting to recent changes in the landscape. Some segments of the market are taking them on better than others. One success story is that of LNG. Expanding infrastructure for LNG requires increased compressor optimization to handle higher volumes of gas more reliably. HRSGs, too, are in greater demand since they decrease plant energy consumption per ton of LNG produced. Onshore and nearshore LNG applications are adapting to decarbonization initiatives. These and other trends are discussed below to highlight the various ways companies are tackling challenges related to LNG production, transportation, utilization, development, and decarbonization.


Patrice Laporte, Vice President of Sales Compression Americas, Siemens Energy, outlined how the company offers high-speed reciprocating, process reciprocating, and centrifugal compressors. Driven by the shifting energy map of Europe and the Inflation Reduction Act in the U.S., the market currently sees significantly increased demand for LNG, CO2, and hydrogen. For CO2 applications, integrally geared compressors are seeing an increased need to modularize the package to reduce lead times. The hydrogen market is also picking up. Generally, the entire gas value chain is driving higher demand.

“Special attention is required for the compressor aerodynamic path design and its integration to the overall LNG plant to meet performance requirements.” said Patrice Laporte, Siemens Energy.

One of the most significant use cases for compressors is in refrigeration. For main refrigerant (MR) applications, compressors increase the pressure of the refrigerant employed to meet process conditions. Depending on the technology employed, normal operating conditions have pressures that can go approximately above 60 bar/870 psi and temperatures as low as -30 °C/-22°F. This machinery operates continuously and is the largest power consumer and operating expense contributor in an LNG plant. Special attention is required for the compressor aerodynamic path design and its integration to the overall LNG plant to meet performance requirements. 

Single shaft horizontally split compressor casings, such as the above, are suitable for boil off gas trains. Courtesy of Siemens Energy.

Boil-off-gas (BoG) involves pressurizing vapor byproduct through a compressor that is developed throughout the LNG process and storage units. For this use, LNG vaporizes through expansion and heat input with temperatures as low as -160°C/-256°F. Emissions are one of the top priorities in the conversation of plant operations.

There is debate abut using e-LNG compression trains over gas turbines to support emission reductions efforts and decarbonization solutions, particularly for onshore and nearshore LNG. Smaller-scale solutions at 2 MTPA and lower are becoming more prevalent due to faster project duration from the final investment decision (FID) to first LNG production, said Laporte. Further implementation of Voltage Source Inverters (VSI) versus Load Commutated Inverters (LCI) drives helps reduce inter-harmonics. It should be noted that power limitations of large VSI drive systems are becoming less of an issue and will soon be comparable to LCI. Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) systems allow speed control during operation and transient events. Electrical drives are advantageous as they enable independent power and speed manipulation, extending operational capabilities.


Rotoflow has a significant stake with turbomachinery utilization in LNG. The company’s ETAC high-pressure turboexpander line provides refrigeration for air separation and liquefaction facilities around the world. The expander compressor has impeller sizes of 3.5” to 22” and power from 4 to 14,000 kW. However, larger impellers and powers have been adapted. The largest impeller deployed by Rotoflow to date has a diameter greater than 50”, said Bradford Jeanes, Rotoflow Proposal Manager, New Equipment & Product Technology.
Jeanes called attention to the promise of small-scale LNG. Rotoflow’s ETAC-16R high-pressure compander products are used in a variety of LNG facilities, whether land based or floating vessel. One project currently underway is the manufacturing of a large number of high-pressure turboexpanders for an LNG producer in Qatar. Rotoflow’s compander is part of its small-scale LNG (ssLNG) peak-shaving product offering. The ETAC-7R, 8R, and 10R frame models are typically used in peak shaving applications to meet demand spikes. LNG can be seen as the balanced choice between environmental and efficiency considerations, said Jeanes. Demand for clean fuels such as LNG is high right now and for the foreseeable future, he added.

“The largest impeller deployed by Rotoflow to date has a diameter greater than 50”, said Bradford Jeanes, Rotoflow.

Several Rotoflow compander models have been marinized or specifically tailored for coastal or offshore applications, as seen in this FLNG facility, to withstand the harsh and corrosive saltwater environment. Courtesy of Rotoflow.

Other ways Rotoflow works with LNG are through its ssLNG product line. It offers nitrogen-based refrigeration cycles with an established reference base. Rotoflow is partnering with Air Products’ LNG business, providing new frame solutions (EC-30s and EC-40s) for ssLNG plants. Rotoflow sees LNG as a keystone in developing lower carbon, cleaner energy, without compromising production capabilities.


FS-Elliott offers centrifugal compressor products used in support of LNG production. Its PAP Plus compressor product line is used in LNG and similar applications, according to Dominic Sarachine, Product Manager, Engineered and Air Separation, FS-Elliott. The company’s design philosophy advocates accessibility while meeting specific industry, customer, and site requirements.
The PAP Plus compressor has a completely removable air-end and horizontally split gearcase design. Customization is one of its prime advantages. The product line provides continuous compressed air for instrument air, plant, and process air compressor applications in LNG plants. Compressor capacities start at around 1,000 cfm (35 m3/min) and reach up to 25,000 cfm (700 m3/min). Steady and reliable compressed air is needed to curtail unplanned downtime, said Sarachine. PAP Plus compressors also accommodate site-specific needs, including human factors engineering (HFE) requirements, or hazardous area requirements for operator and plant safety. Operating conditions always need to be considered. Advances in technology mandate continued evaluation of site productivity capabilities.

This compressor package for a Middle Eastern oil refinery features an instrument rack with transmitters for local monitoring and a walkway platform for maintenance access. Also included are fan-cooled air-to-air heat exchangers for cooling between compressor stages. Courtesy of FS-Elliott.

Sarachine noted that LNG plants tend to reach high operating efficiencies while working at rated conditions. These capabilities depend on practical aerodynamic and mechanical design expertise. LNG today is more focused on equipment performance across wider operating conditions when designing and operating plants, he said. This improved efficiency can contribute to emission reduction. Achieving a broader flow and pressure range while maintaining the greatest efficiency does not necessarily require new impellers, casings, or motors. Simply utilizing the latest advances in control system technology can broaden the operating range of a machine. For example, FS-Elliott’s Regulus Control System offers an energy advisor system to provide operators with recommendations on improving efficiency and a data-driven predictive maintenance module to notify when restorative actions are necessary. Web-based remote monitoring provides a look at compressor health. It’s all part of the bigger conversation on digitalization, paving the way for increasingly accurate and effective measurements.

“LNG is now focused more on equipment efficiency across wider operating conditions when designing and operating plants. This improved efficiency can contribute to emissions reduction,” said Dominic Sarachine, FS-Elliott.

Christian Brotel, Head of Sales Industries, Midstream at MAN Energy Solutions touched on the versatility of LNG in meeting new emission requirements. Some of MAN’s most popular compressor models are horizontally split (RH) or barrel-type (RB). These centrifugal compressors are used in chemicals, exploration, production, industrial gases, and more. The models cover a wide range of flow rates along with high discharge pressures. The modular configuration includes predesigned and customizable centrifugal compressor packages.


One special offering of MAN is in Factory LNG. The company’s solution is a small-footprint, modularly scalable liquefaction technology based on the HOFIM emission-free compressor, which allows liquefying natural gas locally for storage, transport, and further use in marine, power, and heat generation applications. Through a fleet of cryogenic transport tanks, LNG can be transported over long distances by truck or train to enable the provision of energy to or from isolated regions. LNG links populations or industries with energy sources across distances where pipeline transport is not available or not feasible. Adaptability is part of why natural gas remains one of the world’s top energy resources.

Barrel-type (RB) compressor by MAN Energy Solutions.

One way LNG is being produced is in the process of biogas refining. Brotel expects that the market share for biogas will grow. Utilizing Factory LNG technology at large organic waste collection sites, biomethane – or renewable natural gas (RNG) – can be liquefied from biogas. Biogas or biomethane can be used for combined heat and power (CHP) operations or converted into electricity.

“LNG links populations or industries with energy sources across distances where pipeline transport is not available or not feasible”, said Christian Brotel, MAN Energy Solutions.

When considering the flexibility to connect existing gas consumers with new or remote energy sources, including the growing renewables sector, further LNG development seems logical. However, there are other factors at play. A boom will require the adaption and expansion of gas transportation and storage infrastructure. The focus on electrification and emission reduction of compressor equipment means HOFIM and MOPICO hermetically sealed compressors will see more action, according to Brotel.


Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Compressor (MCO) was established in 2010 as a dedicated compressor company under MHI. Takashi Niiyama, Group Manager, Project Development Group, Business Development Division at MCO, highlighted the company’s work in energy transition related markets, such as carbon capture and storage (CCS), carbon capture and utilization (CCU), blue and green ammonia, and hydrogen. The technology used evolved within the conventional fields of ammonia and urea, ethylene/propylene, and propane de-hydro plants. MCO produces large compressor casings with consistent rotor stability. Multi-shaft integrally geared compressors are also available in the MCO portfolio, seeing frequent use in CCS and CCU.

MCO designs and manufactures LNG mixed refrigerant (MR) compressors according to licensor requirements. For large LNG liquefaction trains, it offers MR compressor packages utilizing the H-100 gas turbine. This grants variable speed operation in a twin shaft design and simplifies plant configuration and start-up, said Niiyama. Full load string tests are done at their Hiroshima facility before shipment to minimize equipment nonconformities. As for mid-scale & small-scale LNG trains, MCO can offer an e-motor drive solution. MCO supplies auxiliary compression services at LNG facilities, such as EFG, booster, and regen applications.

Illustration of a refrigerant compressor driven by a 120 MW dual shaft gas turbine. Courtesy of MCO Compressor.

“New requirements are leading to alternative approaches in operation and execution in the LNG compressor market”, said Takashi Niiyama, MCO.

New requirements bring about alternative approaches in operation and execution in the LNG compressor market, said Niiyama. For example, minimizing site work from a construction stand-point and decarbonization trends. Looking ahead, the number of projects adopting modularization philosophies and/or applying e-motor driver in MR compressor strings is increasing.

Modularization, renewable natural gas, and decarbonization are among key trends spurring growth.

LNG Sparks Turbomachinery Growth

From March 12-15, 2023, in the coastal city of San Diego, California, Western Turbine Users, Inc. (WTUI) is holding an important event for the turbomachinery and power generation industries. The WTUI conference and exhibition, which planted its roots back in 1990, aims to support and cover the latest happenings in the aeroderivative turbine power generation industry. The organization is committed to the growth and development of power professionals, power plant workers, students, and suppliers of equipment and parts. This is the first in-person get-together for the group since 2019.

Overall, it has a commitment to educating and training individuals involved in the power generation sector. The conference is regarded in the industry for its peer meet-and-networking opportunities; its insights into operational and maintenance issues affecting power generation plants; and its updates on the ever-changing regulations, policies, safety standards, and best practices. It’s headed by a board of directors and management team composed of leading experts in the field. 

Turbomachinery International is covering this event and is providing detailed technical session overviews, alongside a longer more general show report in the next issue of the magazine. The major, most critical sessions that will see coverage are 

Increasing Turbine Plant Performance by 10% Through Wet Fogging

 (selective catalytic reduction), hosted by Cormetech. We have boots on the ground to ensure only the most accurate, significant, and comprehensive information is communicated. We hope you’re looking forward to reading our reports on this event and associated sessions this week.

Industrom Power works on geothermal water heat recovery process solutions with gas turbines. Their focus is on enhancing sustainable and renewable sources of energy, enabling a reduction in carbon footprint from fossil fuel use.

ProEnergy provides solutions for addressing peaking power issues. They specialize in the use of aeroderivative gas turbine units.

Cormetech specializes in SCR technology, which focuses on reducing the environmental footprint of gas turbines. SCR is a process that captures NOx, and decomposes them into harmless nitrogen and water vapor.

The 2023 Western Turbine Users, Inc. (WTUI) conference offers a valuable opportunity to be part of the latest developments in power generation innovation and education.

Industry Insights: The 2023 WTUI Conference

, we interviewed several companies to provide a blueprint for the mobile power industry. In this special online feature, we’ll take a closer look Mytilineos, a Greek-based engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor, operating globally in the energy, metallurgy, power and gas, renewables and storage, and sustainable engineering markets.

Mytilineos works with gas turbine and various technology power plants, including mobile units, which can supply electricity on a fast-track basis. All packages are delivered, assembled, and pre-commissioned so that installation onsite is limited to interconnecting piping and cabling work. Thus, the installations require little to no site preparation and can supply power to the grid in a matter of months or even weeks.

Kostas Horinos, Executive Director of Mobile Power Projects at Mytilineos, explained that the company's mobile plants can run in dual-fuel operation with either natural gas or distillate. Moreover, all the systems related to fuel handling and treatment are also packaged in fully mobile and trailer-mounted form, allowing for quick site delivery. This consistency enables the units to address critical power needs and secure electricity in areas with inadequate generation capacity.

“The mobile power units (MPUs) secure power periods of high demand, such as peak periods during hot months, and extend support in case of damage to existing units,” Horinos said.

Mytilineos uses fully portable MPUs with aeroderivative gas turbine technology that can run up to 35 MW per unit.

“We specialize in creating customized designs for gas mobile MPUs in collaboration with OEMs. Our approach involves utilizing a range of modular accessories to complete the design process quickly and safely, typically within a few months”, said Horinos. This customization extends to the ancillary and auxiliary equipment for the mobile packages, including the main gas turbine trailer, auxiliary turbine trailer, high voltage (HV) substation trailer, electrical auxiliary trailer, and more.

The company can also tailor MPU sets to tackle specific issues.For example, in Takoradi, Ghana, Mytilineos delivered 10 GE TM2500+ mobile gas turbine power packages and full operation and maintenance services, including trailer-mounted balance of plant equipment.

Caption: Mobile power gas turbine packages operating in tandem in Algeria. Credit: Mytilineos.

In Algeria, Mytilineos installed and commissioned 38 mobile gas turbine power generating sets with a total output of 775 MW attained at local ambient conditions. Ninety-seven percent of Algeria’s generating capacity relies on natural gas-fired plants, which equates to about 68 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) per year. With renewables a far way off, the country depends on mobile power to supplement the grid during peak periods.

When evaluating an MPU contractor, several key factors must be considered, Horinos said. First, the contractor's project execution track record should be assessed, along with their project management skills and functional expertise. This is especially important when working with the plug-and-play functionalities of MPUs.

Additionally, the contractor should have the flexibility and capacity to respond to unexpected events and execute multiple projects simultaneously. Another factor is whether the contractor can offer fast-track solutions. Finally, collaboration with full scope operations and management organizations is essential.

Electrification is at the forefront of the energy transition. The key challenge for system operators will be keeping up with electricity demand in real time to avoid blackouts. MPUs can cover this fluctuating demand. This means boosting grid output when consumption rises, or when renewable energy input is insufficient due to intermittent sunlight or wind.

“As a chemical energy carrier that meets the storage and flexibility needs of renewable energy, hydrogen is contained within the decarbonization strategies of many global powers. The EU, U.K., United States, Japan, and China are all exploring ways to progress its use,” said Horinos. “Hydrogen can be used to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors, such as heavy industry, trucking, aviation, or shipping.”

MPU technology is keeping up with hydrogen advancement. MPUs are not only an effective solution to feed the grid during renewable energy source output fluctuations, but MPU technology also has hydrogen-blend capability to aid in lowering emissions further.

The March/April 2023 cover story provides an in-depth analysis of the mobile power gas turbine market, offering a comprehensive look at the latest trends and developments in this evolving sector.

What Mytilineos does, the impact of its work, and key trends for mobile power

Company Spotlight: Greek Industrial and Energy Company

Ansys is hosting a number of helpful educational webinars during the month of March. If you're an academic looking to learn more about solid mechanics and FEA, the "Introduction to Solid Mechanics with FEA" on March 8, 2023. One covers aerospace engineering, titled "Spacecraft Thermal Evaluation" on March 16, 2023. For a session on sustainability and materials teaching, sign up for "Ansys Granta EduPack What's New" on March 23, 2023. Others include digital twins, electromagnetics, fluid dynamics, power, thermal integrity, multiphysics, structural mechanics, optics, and virtual reality (VR). 

Software engineering company offers various tradeshows, webinars, conferences, and seminars 

Ansys Upcoming Educational Opportunities

Caption: Jose Figueroa, Mark McKoy, Bob Slettehaugh, and Richard Esposito informed the audience at PowerGen 2023 of the current place of carbon capture and storage (CCS) advancement.

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) can be seen as a crucial technology for achieving a clean energy future. Within the power industry, there is limited knowledge about the geological aspects of carbon storage. Point source carbon capture is particularly useful for large-scale power generation. This panel featured prominent experts who work with carbon capture, with a focus on point source carbon capture. It also included specialists in carbon storage for power generation, covering topics such as geological storage, pipeline transportation, monitoring, costs, and other relevant areas.

Jose Figueroa, Point Source Carbon Capture Supervisor, NETL, Mark McKoy, Carbon Storage R&D Technology manager, NETL, Bob Slettehaugh, Director of Carbon Capture & Carbon Removal, Kiewit, and Richard Esposito, Program Manager, Geosciences and Carbon Management, Southern Company, pulled back the layers of confusion surrounding this decarbonization methodology.

Esposito began by emphasizing the importance of bringing projects in on time and reviewing the basics of CCS. He explained that significant infrastructure changes are required to deploy the magnitude of renewables required to compete with traditional oil and gas power generation. Direct air capture plays a significant role in negative emissions and energy security for fossil fuels, he asserted. Customers from Europe, Japan, Australia, and the United States are looking to decarbonize their operations due to government incentives for the industrial sector. There were several pitfalls associated with bringing the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) green tax credit to the point where operators were financially incentivized to pursue it.

Figueroa talked about working in (CCUS) and supervising a team of federal project managers to develop capture technology for CO2 removal. He emphasized the need for an integrated carbon management approach. He also mentioned FETL's mission of working with academic, non-government, and industry sectors to develop advanced tech quickly and make it available when needed.

McKoy discussed pipeline infrastructure development projections through 2030 and 2050 and the expansion of the industry. Proper planning and industry growth forecasts can greatly help to meet goals. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is working hard to implement further initiatives for infrastructure changes. This includes providing technical assistance and information for undertaking CCUS projects, and the DOE providing co-founding support for carbon storage facilities on pilot projects.

Slettehaugh let the audience know about the costs of CCUS as an emerging market and the importance of strong partnerships for all parties involved in its development. It’s very important to be careful in leveraging risk to develop sound, economical backing for projects. While operating and capital costs can vary, an initial lower capital cost on a project may not necessarily lead to the most optimized project costs when all is done.

PowerGen presentation covering the scope of this emerging technology

Carbon Capture, Pipeline Transport & Geologic Storage

In this special edition of TurboTime, Online Editor Tim Lukac reports on PowerGen 2023 in Orlando Florida. "It was a very productive week, with a multitude of perspectives from all levels of industry and governance represented," he said. 

In this episode, Ihe reviews several technical sessions, alongside a short report for the event’s jeynote address.

Podcasts

Going over the Keynote address, a coal-to-natural-gas conversion, and a study pinpointing reliability issues in power plants.

TurboTime - PowerGen 23 Special

By 2030, Colorado Springs Utilities is actively working to transition away from coal and toward a new power mix incorporating natural gas, solar, wind, and hydropower. To achieve this, the utility is decommissioning its coal-fired Drake plant and replacing it with six 30 MW simple cycle GE LM2500Xpress aeroderivative gas turbines. These turbines are designed to be reusable, allowing for minor modifications when relocated to decentralized locations in the future. Recently, at PowerGen 2023, Matthew Roling, the Power Generation Practice Lead at Stanley Consultants, delivered a presentation on how this Colorado utility is tackling the technical challenges related to decarbonization during the transition process.

One of the challenges the utility faces is the concentration of its assets in its Martin Drake power plant, wedged into the urban center of downtown Colorado Springs. The company’s 2030 forecasted power mix is net-carbon free, with 43% natural gas, 12% solar, 9% wind, and 8% hydro, respectively. The utility has reviewed market factors, including modernization, syngas/hydrogen compatibility, and improving footprint optimization. Power ratio and transportation factors were included in the power generation mix considerations, including the projected increased use of electric vehicles (EVs) by consumers.

Six GE LM2500Xpress aeroderivative gas turbines running at roughly 164 MW will provide a permanent solution mounted to the ground and capable of over 150 starts per year. However, there are challenges due to the effects of combustion properties at 6,000 feet elevation, which requires reliability, redundancy, and maintenance flexibility. The temporary natural gas (TNG) project will move outside of town after five years to build transmission equipment.

The utility provider acquired a number of valuable lessons from this project. This included the needs of hiring an owner's engineer (independent representative of project owner), doing a front-end engineering (FEED) study, separating the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and construction firm, and ensuring OEM technical contracts are properly handled. It’s best to make sure all partners in the project are on board and meet at the same table. Hazard and operability analysis (HAZOP) and 3D model walk-ins should be early in the process, as later design adjustments cost significantly more. 

He noted that OEMs are becoming more like engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) entities as modular technology like mobile power solutions become more popular. Finally, the six aeroderivative gas turbines are being built overseas, which increases lead schedules by three months. Commissioning will take two months. The aim is for the project to be completed before summer 2022.

How a Midwest utility company is seeking to drop coal from its power generation mix 

Colorado Utility Energy Transition

Siemens Energy and Duke Energy are working together on a hybrid plant in North America to address grid fluctuations. Credit: Siemens Energy.

Siemens Energy and Roland Berger recently released a report highlighting the steps the energy industry needs to take in order to meet decarbonization requirements. The report, titled, 

“Bridging the gap – from perception to reality” 

shows the actions required to meet net zero carbon emissions standards. Torsten Henzelmann, Global Head of Energy and Utilities at Roland Berger, says, “When thinking about collaboration efforts and complex global solutions, we should consider which form of cooperation is the fastest and is best suited for future technologies”. The essence of the report is it will require mutual risk at all levels of industry across the globe to meet these demands.

Specifically, the demands in reference are the “Lower global temperatures by 1.5°C” climate initiative. They’ve concluded that limiting global temperatures to pre-industrial levels is paramount, and many world governments agree, implementing much more stringent preventive policies. Christian Bruch, President, and CEO of Siemens Energy, says, “Each country has different challenges and target positions, so it needs specific answers to drive the energy transition. And this is where the Global Energy Readiness Index comes into play”. That level of specify is key, since not every location can commit equally to the new landscape.

To endure the energy transition, the report lays out five steps. The first is to expand renewables. This includes wind, solar, batteries, hydro, and now nuclear. Secondly, the industry must strive to improve energy efficiency. While many turbomachinery operators are already pushing their equipment into extreme tolerances, more is expected. Third, the electric grid must be strengthened. An easy and effective solution is to invest in more power plants or provide mobile power solutions to key areas without stable access to the grid, such as Texas, California, or Algeria. Fourth, existing infrastructure is to be exploited. Finally, the supply chain must be managed better to optimize costs. It seems to be a very tall order, but one the report claims energy experts look forward to, based on a survey pool of over 2,000 participants.

Each region in the world has a different level of industrial “maturity”, and thus falls at different spots on the energy transition readiness index. For example, North America is 34% ready for the transition, while Europe is 33%. The Middle East and Africa fall behind those at 26%, with Asia Pacific at 25%. Latin America is the least capable of coping with the energy transition, with only 22% readiness on the scale. Certain regions are currently in the process of supplementing fossil fuels to lower carbon emissions, while others are still on the cusp of dropping coal and picking up gas. Even more disparate, some areas have yet to find any reliable power. Care must be taken when applying blanket solutions. This requires investment and research from companies operating in less developed areas of the world to meet these goals, while keeping up with advancing infrastructure and technological needs.

Next on the plate is the case of perceived emissions. Many were asked if they believe levels of CO

 had fallen, remained the same, or increased since 2005. The report also asked what levels would be like in 2030. The report found that a surprising number of participants in the survey believed levels were down since 2005. For Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America, with their developing economies, emissions have gone up substantially. Estimates bring it as much as 50% for Asia Pacific and the Middle East and Africa. Thus, each part of the world has its own goals for 2030 reduction thresholds. EU and NA want to hit 49% and 46% respectively, while developing regions would be happy to see a 37% reduction.

The report ends by highlighting energy priorities in detail. Top of the list is phasing out coal, which is worse than natural gas for emissions. Next, is the implementation of energy storage solutions. Hydrogen is also mentioned, included in the “Power-to-X” category. Emission markets need to be set up to act as economic incentives to pursue decarbonization. The alignment of these goals across continents, countries, and sectors is the true challenge, one which the report mentions but doesn’t explicitly address. Ultimately, this report should be taken with skepticism and caution. While it sounds good on paper to commit to a greener future, the reality is much of the world is simply not ready to approach the problem. Undeveloped areas of the world need to focus on obtaining reliable electricity, how many greenhouse gases are produced takes a back seat to establishing basic utilities for now.

Analysis of the global energy transition readiness index

What’s Needed to Reach Net Zero

In this extensive session, key service solution providers, including the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), discussed the most cutting-edge technologies available for new and existing dispatchable power plants. This report covers the most turbomachinery-centric topics. In addition, speakers on this panel also highlighted the anticipated impacts of newly implemented climate legislation in the United States. Represented are the views of Siemens Energy, Mitsubishi Power Americas, Power Systems Mfg., and GE Gas Power.

One of the key takeaways was that plants must be “future-proofed” by offering decarbonized firming capacity for growing intermittent renewable penetration that is also reliable and affordable. This includes operational and clean-fuel flexibility from hydrogen and ammonia, as well as carbon capture, all coupled with digital-intelligent data platforms.

Jeff Goldmeer, Emergent Technology Director – Decarbonization at GE Gas Power, has worked with hydrogen since 2007. More generally, his work is involved with the development of alternative fuels. Recently, a number of successful demonstrations have proven hydrogen’s capability. One example Goldmeer offered was the collaboration between IHI and Ge Gas Power for a 100% ammonia research memorandum of understanding (MOU). He stressed that gas turbines have proven to be one of the most reliable sources of power generating capacity available—there is no question about that. While he doesn’t believe they will be going away, he thinks that as time goes on, renewables will begin to show their capability. He stated, “The world needs access to dependable gas-turbine energy assets; it’s critical for the future."

Pratyush Nag, Program Director for the 9000HL Class Gas Turbine Product & Business Development at Siemens Energy, spoke on trends in the energy industry. Twenty years ago, a huge boom in demand for energy was predicted. As a result, OEMs ramped up production to meet the anticipating surge of sales for power generation assets. Five to six years ago, the question of bringing renewables into the mix entered the conversation. Today, it’s all about residual load. The energy grid needs to address how to manage shortfalls in reliability. Intermittency is a key stop on the path toward decarbonization. The 9000HL series gas turbine from Siemens Energy seeks to address this problem. It offers a large ramping capability of 100 MW/minute. It takes just five minutes for the turbine to bring 400 MW of power to the grid. Bringing power quickly to the grid solves the issue of residual load. It also can run up to 50% hydrogen.

Note to readers: A more detailed breakdown of the topics covered will be featured in a later article.

Panel of experts at PowerGen 2023 review efforts to decarbonize the power generation sector