Turbine Maintenance Market Heats Up

摘要

In 2007, the Energy Information Administration counted more than 5,000 natural gas-fired plants in the US, with a nameplate capacity of almost 500,000 MW. All ages and sizes, these plants have to be maintained to be efficient and reliable. There are two markets here, said Turbine Energy Solutions president Ron Natole: the older, mature designs and the newer F-class technology, with its higher firing temperatures. Repairs and durability are specific for each set of turbines. Traditionally, many of the machines were sold as pure peaking units, said Natole. Then along came the F-technology plants, which were originally designed to replace coal-fired plants to balance the grid. Coal-fired boilers were slated for replacement by combined cycle gas turbines to cut emissions. Repair and maintenance on gas turbines is fairly predictable. Natural gas turbines will continue to power their share of US generation and these companies have made a firm decision to invest in that future.