Siemens 2008 Annual Report Download - page 51

Products and solutions – Energy Sector 45
“Here in Irsching, we’ve built
the world’s largest gas turbine.
When the turbine is linked up
to the existing power plant, it
will supply nearly three million
people with electricity.”
Hans-Otto Rohwer, Energy Sector
A record-setting turbine
The world’s largest gas turbine in Irsching, Germany
As worldwide demand for energy soars, increasing amounts of electricity must be generated –
and the processes used must be as ecofriendly, economical and efcient as possible. We’re meet-
ing this challenge with gas turbines that are setting new industry benchmarks for efciency and
performance. The German utility E.ON is currently testing the world’s most powerful and environ-
mentally compatible gas turbine at its power plant in the Bavarian town of Irsching. The turbine
generates a world-record 340 megawatts, enough electricity to power a city the size of Barcelona.
When the standalone test phase is completed, the unit will be expanded to become a combined
cycle power plant that uses exhaust gases to generate additional electricity. In combined cycle
operation, the plant will attain an efciency of over 60 percent. Compared with today’s top ratings
of more than 58 percent, this may seem like a small improvement. But it will cut the facility’s CO2
emissions by 40,000 tons a year and, thus, make a substantial contribution to climate protection.
Making it all happen are products and systems from Siemens – innovations like computer-opti-
mized turbine blade design and innovative materials that enable blades to withstand extremely
high temperatures.