GE Deploys Aeroderivatives to Support California Emergency Power Needs

GE today announced that four of its TM2500 aeroderivative gas turbines have been ordered, delivered, installed, and commissioned in only 42 days by the State of California’s Department of Water Resources (DWR), the government body responsible for managing the state’s water supply , Kiewit Power Constructors Co., and GE.  DWR acted as the State’s procurement agency to implement directives in Governor Gavin Newsom’s emergency proclamation on July 30, 2021 to safeguard the state’s energy grid. GE’s TM2500 will provide up to 120 megawatts (MW) of power in total. Engineered with flexibility at the forefront, GE’s TM2500s are able to start and ramp up quickly in just minutes and will supplement renewable generation to enhance the reliability and sustainability of California’s electricity system.

With the recent wildfires and drought conditions, DWR anticipated a power supply shortage as hydropower sources run dry during peak demand season, which could impact the reliability of commercial and residential water supply. Fast installation and start-up time were critical elements in the decision to use aeroderivative gas turbines, as the state quickly approached the season for peak electricity demand.

With one of the most stringent emissions regulations in the world, California achieved a rigorous greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 40% below 1990 levels four years early. DWR has been proactively responding to the evolving power industry by ensuring system diversity, enhancing reliability, and controlling costs.

“The State of California has made tremendous progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and is helping to lead US climate change action,” said Eric Gray, CEO, Americas, GE Gas Power. “We are proud to support the State of California and the Department of Water Resources while demonstrating the highly efficient and flexible nature of gas power to support renewable energy and ensure system reliability with a low environmental footprint. We are helping the state of California meets its renewables and carbon mandates, while providing reliability to the electrical system when renewable resources are not sufficient to meet the state’s electricity demands.”   

“Kiewit has worked with GE on a wide range of power generation projects for many years, which allowed us to mobilize quickly and efficiently integrate the necessary equipment at the Roseville and Yuba City power plants,” said Dave Flickinger, executive vice president, Kiewit Power Constructors Co. “Our long-standing presence in California and understanding of local energy-related challenges, combined with solid working relationships with GE and DWR, also helped contribute to the success of the project.”

GE’s TM2500 * is derived from the jet-engine technology powering the world’s airlines and is mounted on a wheeled trailer for enhanced mobility. With more than 20 years of experience and over 300 units installed around the world, GE’s TM2500 is a proven solution for providing a baseload bridge to permanent power installations, or for generating backup power in the wake of natural disasters, plant shutdowns, grid instability or in isolated locations. The TM2500 engine’s dual fuel capability can operate on liquid fuel or natural gas and the engine with capability of running on 75% hydrogen as a fuel, offering a further pathway to decarbonize these assets in the future.