General Electric (Switzerland)

The exponential growth of the data center industry, driven by the growing demands of AI [1], cloud computing, and internet services, is projected to significantly increase the data center loads from 8.5 GW to 14.3 GW by 2028 as per Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) Large Load Interconnection Status Update [2]. Meanwhile, U.S. decarbonization targets are pushing for higher renewable energy penetration in ERCOT. This has led to the curtailment of renewable energy [3] due to transmission congestion or limited demand for the generated electricity. This paper proposes a strategic approach in which data center loads are optimally sited in four zones of ERCOT with surplus renewable energy generation but constrained transmission infrastructure [4]. This approach enables the use of excess renewable energy that would otherwise be wasted. A detailed analysis of curtailment reduction and transmission constraint of ERCOT is conducted through the optimal siting of data center loads. The analysis is conducted using the highly detailed Production Cost software module of PlanOS developed by GE Vernova [5][6], which performs hour-by-hour production cost simulations while accounting for transmission constraints. Two distinct scenarios were tested using PlanOS with different data center load considerations. The key results of the analysis include curtailment analysis, transmission congestion analysis and carbon emission outlook.The study holds broader implications of the power system planning and sustainable infrastructure development. By strategically aligning high-energy-demand facilities such as data centers with regions that frequently experience renewable energy oversupply, the grid can operate more efficiently while advancing decarbonization goals. Furthermore, this approach may reduce the need for expensive grid upgrades and improve economic returns on renewable energy investments. As the digital economy continues to expand, this framework offers a scalable model for integrating flexible, large-scale loads into power system globally, enabling a more balanced and decarbonized energy landscape.

Vsaka kriza pripelje do sprememb, bodisi na ravni organizacije ali na ravni posameznika. Pomembno je, da se tega zavedamo, in nadalje, da se zavedamo, da prihaja do tranzicije, skozi katero prehajamo, ko se soočimo s spremembo. Če gre tukaj za organizacijo in zaposlene, ki se srečujejo s spremembami, ima pri tem vodstvo še posebej pomembno vlogo. Prispevek obravnava spremembe in tranzicije, skozi katere prehajajo zaposleni v času krize, in vlogo vodstva pri tem. Najprej so predstavljeni pojmi kriza, spremembe in tranzicija. Nato so opredeljeni različni modeli tranzicije, kot so: krivulja sprememb Kübler-Ross, ki opisuje pet stopenj, skozi katere prehajajo posamezniki ob soočenju s spremembo; tranzicijski model po Bridgesu, ki omenja tri faze prehajanja v času sprememb; nevrologistične stopnje sprememb po Diltsu, ki naj bi posamezniku pomagale raziskati problem in priložnosti ter pri tem definirati ovire, ki preprečujejo spremembo. Skozi celoten prispevek, predvsem pa na koncu, so podani določeni elementi, ki jih je smiselno upoštevati pri vodenju zaposlenih v času krize, sprememb in tranzicije.

Abstract The continuous increase of variable renewable energy and fuel cost requires steam turbine power plants to operate with high flexibility. This situation leads to steam turbines running at very low volume flow (LVF) for an extended time. Ventilation power and temperature predictions have a significant impact on the thermo-economic optimization of the power plant and lifetime assessment of the ventilating stages. In the last decade with increasing capabilities of CFD and computational resources, significant steps have been made in assessing complex flow behavior. Full size or scaled experimental testing of different last stage blades for a wide range of low load operating conditions is expensive, therefore CFD provides new opportunities in low load assessment. However, prediction of the flow structure of the ventilating stages still represents a challenge for the current CFD tools in terms of calculation time and reliability of the results. There are many different approaches in assessing this phenomenon, which require different computer resources and may not be necessary for most industrial applications. This paper presents the validation of the multiple mixing plane approach (MMP) presented by [9] for low-pressure steam turbine running at low load. Through a comparison with measurements results and more sophisticated methods, it is shown that this approach is able to sufficiently accurately predict the flow field and hence the ventilation power and temperature at low volume flow.

The application of additive manufacturing to a unique performance upgrade for the GT13E2 turbine fleet is discussed in this paper. Based on an existing design for the turbine hot section, two components - a stator heat shield and the first stage turbine vane - have been completely reimagined, in order to fully exploit the potential of additive technology.

Abstract The continuous increase of variable renewable energy and fuel cost requires steam turbine power plants to operate with high flexibility. Furthermore, the reduction in electricity price is forcing many existing and new district heating power plants to further optimize the heat production to maintain a sustainable business. This situation leads to low pressure steam turbines running at very low volume flow for an extended time. In this work, a case study of an existing 30 MWel district heating power plant located in Europe is presented. The customer request was the removal of the steam turbine last two stages along with the condenser to maximize steam delivery for district heating operations. However, based on the experience gained by GE on low load during the last years, the same heat production has been guaranteed without any significant impact on the existing unit, excluding any major modification of the plant layout such as last stage blading and condenser removal. Making use of the latest low flow modeling, the minimum cooling flow through the low-pressure turbine has been reduced by more than 90% compared to the existing unit. Optimization of the hood spray system and logic will reduce trailing edge erosion during low load operation leading to a significant extension in the last stage blade lifetime. These modifications, commercialized by GE as the Advanced Low Load Package (ALLP), provide a cheap, flexible and effective solution for the customer. With today’s knowledge, GE has the capability to guarantee low load operation minimizing the mass flow through the low-pressure turbine to the minimum required for safe operation. As a benefit to the customer, this option allows a gain in operational income of about 1.5 M€ per year.

A literature survey indicated that high impedance fault (HIF) detection methods employ simulation techniques using very low voltage signals generated using software such as PSCAD, and MATLAB, among...

Abstract The changing energy landscape leads to a rising demand of more flexible power generation. A system for steam turbine (ST) warm-keeping provides the ability to shutdown conventional power plants during periods with a high share of renewable power. Simultaneously, these power plants are ready for grid stabilization on demand without an excessive consumption of lifetime during the start-up. One technical solution to keep a ST warm is the use of hot air, which is passed through the turbine. In addition, the air supply prevents corrosion during standstill and also enables the prewarming after maintenance or long outages. This paper investigates the warm-keeping process of an intermediate pressure (IP) ST (double-shell configuration) through the use of dynamic numerical finite element (FE) simulations. As a representative test case, warm-keeping calculations during a weekend shutdown (60 h) are conducted to investigate the temperatures, their distribution, and gradients within the rotor and the casing. For this purpose, an improved numerical calculation model is developed. This detailed three-dimensional FE model (including blades and vanes) uses heat transfer correlations conceived for warm-keeping with low air mass flows in gear mode operation. These analytical correlations take heat radiation, convection, and contact heat transfer at the blade roots into account. The thermal boundary conditions (BCs) at the outer walls of the rotor and casing are determined by use of experimental natural cool-down data. The calculation model is finally compared and verified with this dataset. The results offer valuable information about the thermal condition of the ST for a subsequent start-up procedure. The warm-keeping operation with air is able to preserve hot start conditions for any time period. Most of the heat is transferred close to the steam inlet of the turbine, which is caused by similar flow directions of air and steam. Thus, temperatures in the last stages and in the casing remain well below material limits. This allows higher temperatures at the first blade groove of the turbine, which is highly loaded during a turbine startup and thus crucial to the lifetime.

This is an article in the Core Entrustables in Clinical Pharmacology series that describes opioid therapy in acute and chronic pain. Opioid use during surgical procedures or anesthesia is not discussed. Basic pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of opioids are reviewed. The safe and effective use of opioids, including clinical assessment and treatment plan, equianalgesic dosing, opioid rotation, opioid risks and side effects, and clinical adherence monitoring are discussed. Individualized opioid use can be a safe and effective component of a patient-specific multimodal treatment plan for acute or chronic pain. Adverse effects and risks can be prevented or effectively managed when anticipated and recognized. The article is followed by 4 clinical vignettes with discussions.