CLASS OF 2016
WORLD-GENERATION FEBRUARY/MARCH 2016
10
The recent early delivery of its advanced
class M501J gas turbine to Grand River
Energy Center (GREC) near Tulsa,
Oklahoma is one more benchmark for
Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems in a series
of engineering, technology, materials and
manufacturing achievements over the years.
While the M501J being installed at the Grand
River Dam Authority’s GREC generating
facility will be the first, largest Advanced
Technology Gas Turbine to come on line in
the Western Hemisphere – a monumental
feat in its own right – the roll out could be
considered, well, routine.
But that’s only because MHPSA takes
such breakthroughs and achievements in
stride. Its accomplishments are a reflection of
the strategic attitude and engineering prow-
ess that have guided two iconic Japanese
leaders – Mitsubishi and Hitachi – to the
forefront of power generation technology.
“We are proud to be part of Grand River
Dam Authority’s strategic plan to create
reliable, efficient, lower cost energy for its
customers,” said Bill Newsom, MHPSA,
Executive Vice President, New Generation
Sales and Operations and World Generation
Class of 2016 inductee. “The J-series is the
powerful ‘agent of change’ in achieving
those goals. We expect it to be the standard
of excellence by which all others are mea-
sured,” Newsom added.
That is a pretty high bar. MHPS’s
Advanced Technology Gas Turbine is capable
of achieving a combined cycle efficiency of 62
percent with sustained 1,600°C (2,912°F) tur-
bine inlet temperatures. The J-series gas tur-
bine offers the largest output and the highest
performance among heavy-duty gas turbines
in commercial operation in the industry. It also
has resulted in the most efficient use of fossil
fuel resources while providing significant envi-
ronmental benefits including the reduction of
CO2 emissions of approximately 60 percent in
combined cycle operation when compared to
older conventional coal plants.
The M501J turbine has an ISO base rat-
ing of 327 MW in simple-cycle operation,
and a rated rotor speed of 3,600 RPM. It is
3.3 times higher than the largest gas tur-
bines in 1980. Back then large gas turbines
were rated at 100 MW. The M501J emits 96
percent less nitrogen oxides (NOx), and
99.9 percent less sulfur dioxide (SO2) than
older coal-fired units.
The jumbo M501J unit weighs 320 tons,
and this 60-Hz machine has a ramp rate of
40 MW per minute and a startup time of
about 30 minutes from ignition to full load.
In a 1-on-1 combined-cycle configuration, the
turbine delivers 470 MW, with efficiency
approaching 62 percent. The new J-Series
technology fires at an inlet temperature of
600 degrees C, about 100 degrees hotter
than its G-Series predecessor.
“Raising firing temperatures has been
the biggest technological challenge in
increasing efficiency,” Newsom says. But
for MHPS engineers, metallurgists and sci-
entists, it has been mission accomplished,
after eight years of developing, testing and
validation. The M501J-series is the first
high temperature advanced technology gas
turbine on the market.
The M501J commercial operating fleet
has collectively logged about 220,000 actual
operating hours to-date. Each passing
month, the fleet generates about one unit
year’s (8760 hours) worth of electricity which
is added to the total actual operating hours.
PRACTICAL VERIFICATION
MHPS has an advantage when it comes
to certifying equipment/system perfor-
mance and validating reliability. “Competing
turbine manufacturers only use test-bed
examination and focus on short term valida-
tion,” says Newsom. MHPS on the other
hand carries out verification testing at its
Takasago Machinery Works combined-cycle
(T-Point) power plant near Kobe, Japan. The
equipment undergoes step-by-step testing of
its overall design, performance capabilities
and efficiency. “A key feature of the T-Point
testing program,” he points out, “is the
equipment is actually supplying power to the
Kansai area grid in Hyogo Prefecture which
includes Japan’s second largest city, Osaka.
We get greater than 99 percent reliability.”
The testing process for the M501J got
underway in February 2011, and the long
term validation continued for years. Since
then it has established itself as the standard
for 21st Century natural gas-fired power gen-
eration systems with 17 J-series units already
in commercial operation around the globe at
six different power plants. Currently 41 units
have been sold and are being built. “We’re
also getting ready to announce sales of sever-
al more units in the U.S. in the coming
weeks,” said Newsom said.
ABOUT BILL NEWSON
Bill Newsom is the Executive Vice
President of New Generation Systems for
Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Americas,
Inc., headquartered in Lake Mary, Florida
and Executive Vice President of MHPS
Canada. Mr. Newsom is a graduate of the
University of Florida (BS Mechanical
Engineering) and began his career with
Westinghouse Electric as a Design and
Performance Engineer for new and retrofit
steam turbines. He held various positions in
manufacturing, applications and strategic
marketing at different locations including
Charlotte, NC and Orlando, FL. In 2001, he
moved to Boston, MA to work for Calpine as
an equipment specialist to support develop-
ment, construction, commissioning and oper-
ation of combined cycle power plants.
In 2004, Mr. Newsom joined Mitsubishi
Hitachi Power Systems Americas’ service
organization to lead the sales and market-
ing of steam, gas, generator, and long term
programs for the Western Hemisphere. In
2009, Mr. Newsom moved to MPSA’s
Headquarters office in Lake Mary as Vice
President and Officer of the Company to
lead the Sales, Marketing and Commercial
Operations for all New Unit Products. In
2015, Mr. Newsom was appointed Executive
Vice President of New Generation Systems.
Executive Vice President
New Generation Systems - MHPSA
BILL NEWSOM
