Aeroderivative Gas Turbines provide essential ‘dispatchable’ energy for critical industries such as oil & gas and power generation. The versatility, efficiency and reliability of gas turbines ensures this technology plays a vital role in the UK’s energy infrastructure.
The transition to net-zero is essential for the wellbeing of everyone and decarbonising the UK’s energy system is critical to meeting the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) target of limiting global warming to 1.5*C above pre-industrial levels. For North Sea Oil & Gas operators, power generation accounts for approximately 70% of operational CO2 emissions, so this is a focal point for both Operators and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM).
Siemens Energy, a leading OEM is a partner in NZTC’s Alternative Fuel for Gas Turbines pilot project, one of several initiatives to decarbonise the energy sector. RWG’s is a joint venture with Wood and Siemens Energy, working closely with the OEM to provide maintenance support to operators of aeroderivative gas turbines. For several months, RWG has collaborated with the OEM and NZTC on a pilot project to demonstrate the use of alternative fuels to lower emissions from gas turbine operation.
This week, NZTC announced a successful engine test of a modified Siemens Energy SGT-A20 aeroderivative gas turbine, using e-methanol as an alternative to conventional fuels. This pilot project, prepared and tested at RWG’s Aberdeen workshop, successfully demonstrated a retrofit solution for mature gas turbine technology. The comprehensive test programme met full operational performance criteria with up to 75% reduction in gas turbine emissions.
The outcome of this pilot project confirms that gas turbine technology can play a vital role in the transition to net-zero, encouraging further investment in low and zero-carbon fuels for gas turbines, and ensuring operators deliver essential energy without a significant impact on the environment.
For more information relating to this NZTC pilot project: SGT-A20 e-methanol pilot
