Thermal Generation
The UK has a long history of innovation and expertise in thermal power generation, not just in manufacture and installation of equipment, but in consultancy, engineering, project and asset management.
UK-based companies have strong design and manufacturing abilities for power generation, including gas turbines (up to 60MW), steam turbines (up to 500MW) and reciprocating diesel and gas engines (up to 2.6MW). We have considerable experience in designing, manufacturing and installing steam turbines for power generation, combined cycle, cogeneration and waste-to-energy projects. UK-produced steam turbines are supplied worldwide and operate primarily in the 1 MW to 40MW range, although there is manufacturing capability up to 500MW. Major power generation contractors in the UK include such world-renowned companies as Rolls Royce, Siemens, ABB, Alstom, AMEC, Costain and Doosan Babcock. In 2008 Misubishi Heavy Industries established Mitsubishi Power Systems Ltd in London, as its European headquarters.
UK capabilities include fired boilers (up to the largest supercritical boilers) and Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSG). UK design and project management expertise is contributing towards the manufacture of advanced boilers for leading-edge supercritical Steam Turbine applications in China. These plants not only meet the ever expanding power demands of the Chinese economy but also emit 20-30% less CO2 than conventional plants. The UK is also in a leading position in the development of integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) technologies. The UK has several equipment manufacturers and engineering companies that provide packaged power generation, cogeneration (combined heat and power) or ‘trigen’ (power, heat and cooling). The packages vary in size, from small containerised units based on gas/diesel engines up to a few MW electrical, to larger units based on gas turbines (up to 50MW for those based on a single gas turbine). Packages can also be provided in multiples. Further along the supply chain, the UK has a number of manufacturers of power generation components. The UK has strong capability in generators, transformers, switchgear and turbogenerators. There are also diverse suppliers of heat exchangers, pumps and process fluid controls, gears and clutches and pressure seals. Leading UK suppliers include Howden Compressors, Thompson Valves and SM Seals.
UK companies have been involved in many upgrading, retrofitting and refurbishment projects throughout the world and capabilities extend to the eventual decommissioning of oil, gas, coal or biomass thermal power plant
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