General Electric Co. (GE) has announced a new natural-gas turbine it says is designed to be used in conjunction with wind or solar energy-generation gear by kicking in quickly on still or cloudy days.

The Fairfield , Conn. , conglomerate, which made the announcement in Paris , said it invested more than $500 million to develop the turbine and accompanying power plant.

The turbines, which will start shipping in 2014, will be manufactured in France and aimed initially at the European Union and other markets that operate at 50 hertz power frequencies. The company said it intends to release a version for the North American market eventually but didn't say when.

GE Vice Chairman John Krenicki Jr. said in an interview that the 510-megawatt plants will ramp up twice as fast as conventional plants, with technology in the new gas turbines based upon GE's jet-engine designs. The new plants also will be much more efficient, he said.

"It's a natural evolution of proven technology that we've just taken to the next level," Krenicki said.

The turbines and plant will be "a key enabler" for utilities looking to increase reliance on renewable energy sources by rapidly ramping up or down depending upon fluctuations in wind or solar power, GE said.

GE didn't announce any orders for the new technology Wednesday but indicated it is in discussions with potential customers.

Chief Executive Jeff Immelt, speaking last week at a conference in Florida , made clear that GE is bullish on the outlook for natural gas as an energy source, calling it cheap and plentiful.

"It appears like we're entering into a natural-gas cycle," he said at the time.

Immelt said GE is in a good position to benefit from the trend, noting the conglomerate's recent $11 billion in energy-related acquisitions that he said has made it a bigger player in the sector.

GE has dubbed its new turbine and power plant the "FlexEfficiency 50," saying its the first in a new "FlexEfficiency" product line.

Διαβάστε ακόμα