Michigan's new 1.1 GW CCGT enters service
Indeck Energy Services’ 1.1 GW Indeck Niles Energy Center in Niles, Michigan featuring equipment from GE has started operations, GE said on July 11.
The plant has been built by Kiewit Power Constructors Co. while GE provided H-Class combined cycle plant equipment and will provide parts, repairs and maintenance services for 25 years. Indeck developed the plant to fill the need for generating resources created by the decommissioning of coal-fired and nuclear plants in the region, GE said.
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The plant features two GE 7HA.02 gas turbines, powering two H65 generators, an STF-D600 steam turbine powering a H84 generator, and two heat recovery steam generators, along with a Mark VIe distributed control system software solution and services.
As reported by EIA, in 2020, natural gas generated the largest amount of Michigan’s electricity for the first time, surpassing coal, which fell to third after nuclear power. Natural gas accounted for 33% of the state’s net generation, while coal’s share declined to 27%. Renewables provided about 11% of Michigan's electricity net generation in 2020, and wind energy accounted for three-fifths of that power.
"Gas power plays a critical role in facilitating coal-to gas transition, but it is also crucial to provide the necessary power to balance the variable nature of renewables and help ensure system reliability at all times” said Eric Gray, CEO of GE Gas Power Americas. “Our 7HA.02 gas turbines, which can burn up to 20% hydrogen by volume in the gas stream currently, with plans to transition to 100% hydrogen over the next decade, represent a highly efficient energy solution to achieve Michigan’s emission reduction plans”.