The Economy

GE Expanding Gas Turbine Test Facility

Oct. 3, 2010

Expansion will bring GE's investment in the facility to $170 million.

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.

About the Author

Josh Cable | Former Senior Editor

Former Senior Editor Josh Cable covered innovation issues -- including trends and best practices in R&D, process improvement and product development. He also reported on the best practices of the most successful companies and executives in the world of transportation manufacturing, which encompasses the aerospace, automotive, rail and shipbuilding sectors.

Josh also led the IndustryWeek Manufacturing Hall of Fame, IW’s annual tribute to the most influential executives and thought leaders in U.S. manufacturing history.

Before joining IndustryWeek, Josh was the editor-in-chief of Penton Media’s Government Product News and Government Procurement. He also was an award-winning beat reporter for several small newspapers in Northeast Ohio.

Josh received his BFA in creative writing from Bowling Green University, and continued his professional development through course-work at Ohio University and Cuyahoga Community College.

A lifelong resident of the Buckeye State, Josh currently lives in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland. When the weather cooperates, you’ll find him riding his bike to work, exercising his green thumb in the backyard or playing ultimate Frisbee.