Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems (MHPS) has announced that it has begun commissioning of what it describes as the world’s most efficient power plant, its T-Point 2, a combined cycle power plant validation facility at Takasago Works in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. MHPS said that T-Point 2 will be the only facility in the world to perform full-scale long-term reliability verification for gas turbines. Connected to the actual grid, it is the only plant of its type in the world to function as both a technology demonstrator and an electric power producer and supplier.
Commercial operations are scheduled to begin in July 2020. T-Point 2 is expected to achieve power output of over 566MW at 60Hz, with an efficiency of nearly 64 per cent, reliability of 99.5 per cent, and a turbine inlet temperature of 1650°C. The first gas turbine being validated at T-Point 2 is the upgraded J-Series Air-Cooled (JAC) model.
The new facility features a triple-casing steam turbine, augmenting overall system efficiency through a multiplier effect with the JAC gas turbine.
MHPS said that it will use the facility to conduct validation of the next generation 1700°C class ultra-high temperature gas turbines, steam turbine upgrades, air-cooled condenser technology, generators, and static frequency converters.