GE has received a contract from the federal energy company of Brazil, Petrobras, for the conversion of a second gas turbine system to burn sugarcane-based ethanol at the power plant located in the city of Juiz de Fora, northwest of Rio de Janiero. This contract comes after the initial success of the world’s first use of sugarcane-based ethanol in a gas turbine at the site.
"Petrobras and GE formed a successful partnership for the conversion of a first aeroderivative gas turbine at UTE Juiz de Fora (MG) for dual-fuel operation—natural gas or ethanol. It is the first power plant in the world to operate with ethanol to generate electricity. Now, the partnership is repeated for the conversion of the second turbine at UTE Juiz de Fora. This is another Petrobras initiative to diversify sources for power generation, allowing greater flexibility in its power plants," said Maria da Graça Foster, Petrobras director of gas and energy.
The Juiz de Fora a Power plant is currently a simple-cycle natural gas plant with a total capacity of 87 megawatts. It has two GE LM6000 PC gas turbines, one with GE-modified combustors that allow the use of ethanol in addition to natural gas. The dual-fuel capability enhances the plant’s energy security and reliability by delivering a valuable alternative fuel source for the power plant that previously had only one available fuel.
“GE’s strategic marketing group has recently concluded that electricity demand is expected to double in the next 20 years, while demand for clean water may triple. With this growth, a greater demand for unconventional fuels, especially those that help control atmospheric emissions, is likely,” said Darryl Wilson, vice president—aeroderivative gas turbines for GE Power & Water. “To better support this rising need for reduced environmental impact and improved plant economics, we are focused on developing alternative fuel solutions, like the project at Juiz de Fora, which will further augment the portfolio’s existing performance flexibility.”
The second of the two GE LM6000 PC aeroderivative gas turbines installed at the plant will now be retrofitted to burn ethanol to produce electricity on a full commercial scale. This contract signals another significant milestone in using sugarcane-based ethanol to fuel power-generating gas turbines, following the passage of the 1,000 hour test and commercial acceptance of Juiz de Fora Unit 1 in May.
