GE Expanding Gas Turbine Test Facility

GE said it is expanding the test facility at its gas turbine manufacturing plant in Greenville, S.C.

The test facility will offer the capability for full-scale validation of its next-generation gas turbines, heavy-duty compressors and gas turbine systems, according to the company.

"We'll be able to validate a complete gas turbine system, duplicating conditions our customers experience at a power plant during operation," said Paul Browning, vice president-thermal products for GE Power & Water. "We also will have the ability to run variable-speed, variable-load tests to validate enhanced flexibility features."

The tests will be performed at full capacity and beyond and under "real-world" power plant conditions, according to the company.

"Initially developed for the validation of GE's recently upgraded Frame 7FA gas turbines, the facility will support long-term development and testing of a full range of GE 50-hertz and 60-hertz compressors and gas turbines," the company said in a news release. "The facility has begun commissioning, and upcoming tests will include advanced compressor validation followed by full-speed full-load validation of the new 7FA gas turbine."

The expanded capabilities will bring GE's investment in the facility to approximately $170 million, according to the company.