MHI Achieves 1,600°C Turbine Inlet Temperature in Test Operation of
World's Highest Thermal Efficiency "J-Series" Gas Turbine

The gas turbine that marked the latest achievement is the 60 hertz (Hz) M501J, which MHI proprietarily developed in the spring of 2009. The new turbine is able to withstand a temperature 100 degrees higher than the 1,500°C-class G-Series gas turbines, which was the highest temperature until now. In general the higher a gas turbine's inlet temperature, the greater is the turbine's thermal efficiency. The 1,600°C-class J-Series gas turbine has achieved a rated power output of about 320 megawatts (MW) (ISO basis) and 460 MW in gas turbine combined-cycle (GTCC) power generation applications, in which heat recovery steam generators and steam turbines are also used. MHI has also confirmed gross thermal efficiency exceeding 60% -the world's highest level in GTCC applications.

The new gas turbine will contribute significantly to easing environmental burdens. With GTCC type power generation, gas and steam turbines are used in combination to generate electricity in two stages, utilizing high-temperature exhaust gas from the gas turbine. This configuration enables GTCC power plants to achieve considerably higher thermal efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions, consuming less fuel relative to electricity output. With the J-Series gas turbine, GTCC power generation will be able to achieve CO2 emissions approximately 50% lower than with conventional coal-fired power generation (comparison with MHI's power plants). In the J-Series, nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, which usually increase as combustion temperature rises, are suppressed to a level equivalent to that of current models, in order to address global environmental issues.

The combined-cycle power plant for verification testing, where the J-Series gas turbine was tested, is located at MHI's Takasago Machinery Works, which is in charge of developing the company's gas turbines integrally, from development and design to manufacturing and testing. The plant has played an important role in the commercialization of new gas turbines, as well as in developing and verifying technologies to enable higher temperature applications and further enhancement of power generation efficiency, including verification of large-size gas turbines and their core technologies. Following the 60 Hz M501J, the Takasago Machinery Works is currently developing the 50 Hz M701J gas turbine, targeting first shipments in 2014.

Through delivery of numerous gas turbines both in Japan and abroad, MHI has accrued solid trust within the market based on both its technologies and delivery track record. With the achievement of its targeted results in the verification testing of the new-generation J-Series gas turbine, the company will now further accelerate related marketing activities.

MHI also aims to apply the J-Series verification results to further development of technologies that will enable even higher temperature gas turbines. The company will continue development of high-efficiency gas turbines yet another generation ahead, as its way of contributing to the realization of tomorrow's low-carbon society.