Morgan Hendry of SSS Clutch reported an uptick in orders for GE LM6000 PF+ gas turbines, partially fueled by a growing need for synchronous condensing and grid support.
Gas turbines can be transformed into synchronous condensers by installing a clutch between the power turbine and the generator. When the unit is not needed for power production, the turbine is safely disconnected and the generator continues to spin. In this mode, the equipment provides system stability and grid support.
Hendry said his company has received orders for around 45 clutches intended for LM6000 PF+ Sprint models. These units are also equipped with a load gear which the clutch is built into.
He explained that the LM 6000PC runs at 3,600 rpm at 60 Hz. PF units, though, run at higher speed to obtain more power. The clutch connects to a generator with a load gear.
These LM6000 PF+ units now provide 65 MW. This is a considerable gain compared to the original LM6000 (40 MW), the LM6000 PC (46 MW) and the LM6000 PG (52.7 MW).
30 of these LM6000 PF+ units are for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), 10 of which have been delivered. Another three have been delivered to Dominion Energy, and two more to Sask Power in Canada.
TVA is putting in 1 GW of wind turbines and solar PV in Tennessee. The LMs will provide peaking power to support these renewables as well as system stability and reactive power support.
“The mounting arrangement in the load gear is the same as nearly 300 Frame 5 and 6s gensets GE has done in the past for synchronous condensing,” said Hendry.
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