MHPS M501J Gas Turbines Begin GTCC Operation at Yulchon II Power Plant in Korea

The state-of-the art M501J gas turbines delivered to Korea’s MPC Yulchon Generation Co., Ltd. (MPC Yulchon) by Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd. (MHPS) commenced gas turbine combined cycle (GTCC) power generation at the Yulchon II power plant (Yulchon II). The MHPS M501J gas turbines have already been in operational at Yulchon II since 2013 as simple cycle power generation gas turbines; however, the latest event marks first GTCC operation of the J-Series turbines outside of Japan.

Yulchon II is a 946.3MW (megawatts) GTCC power plant built by MPC Yulchon in Jeollanam-do, in which the M501J gas turbines are the heart of the GTCC.

The 60 hertz (Hz) M501J gas turbines were developed using proprietary MHPS technologies. With turbine inlet temperatures of 1,600°C they achieved the world’s highest level of efficiency and biggest power generation capacity in systems of this type.

Since the introduction of M501J gas turbines to the market in 2009, orders for the units have steadily expanded in Japan and abroad. The total number of orders received worldwide has reached 27 units, of which 10 units are already in operation. In addition, orders for two 50 Hz M701J gas turbines have also been received.

GTCC is a high-efficiency power generation system that uses gas and steam turbines in combination, utilizing high-temperature exhaust gas from the gas turbine to produce steam in HRSG to drive the steam turbine. This configuration results in higher thermal efficiency enabling reduced fuel consumption and lower emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) relative to electricity generation, thereby reducing the system’s environmental impact. With J-Series gas turbines, GTCC power generation enables reductions in CO2 emissions of approximately 50 percent compared to conventional coal-fired power generation plants.

Going forward MHPS will further strengthen its marketing activities for state-of-the-art J-Series gas turbines and GTCC power generation systems to promote more efficient use of fossil fuels and thereby help protect the environment.