Mitsubishi Electric Verifies VP-X High-Efficiency Turbine Generator

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6503) announced today the successful completion of verification tests on its VP-X turbine generator for thermal power plants, the world’s first generator in the 900 MVA class to use indirect hydrogen cooling for stator conductors. Cooling is achieved with hydrogen gas introduced from outside of the main insulation. Thanks to this and other proprietary technologies, the VP-X achieves an extra-high efficiency rating of 99%, placing it in the world’s highest class of turbine generators that offer highly sustainable operation. A series of VP-X generators will be launched commercially in April 2015.

Mitsubishi Electric enhanced cooling performance in the VP-X by improving main insulation and cooling gas ventilation without incorporating a water-cooling system for the stator winding. Until now, all large-capacity turbine generators in the 900 MVA class have relied on water-cooling.

Mitsubishi Electric’s VP-X also boasts a simplified design that will help improve the appearance of power plants, as well as lower the requirements for maintaining and operating turbine generators. The overall size is 20% smaller than conventional indirectly hydrogen-cooled generators. In addition, both the footprint and frame diameter are smaller, making transportation easier. Elimination of a water-cooling system for the stator winding helps to simplify maintenance. Also, needs for manual inspection have been reduced through a partial discharge monitoring system that incorporates a microstrip antenna for continuous monitoring of the main insulation and an inspection robot.

In addition, a new parallel-manufacturing method for the stator core and stator frame shortens delivery time.