Developed by Austrian GE Energy, the two-stage turbocharger will be paired with the world's first 24-cylinder gas engine for commercial power generation, Jenbacher J624, to demonstrate its capabilities.
So far, GE promises the engine can develop 10 percent higher output than the regular J624 version, translating into an increase from 4 MW to 4.4 MW, offering at the same time a 46.5 percent electrical efficiency. The two-stage turbocharger also allows the J624 to operate beyond 22 bar brake mean effective pressure (BMEP).
Of course, you might wonder how an engine designed for the energy industry can change the game for automotive players. As GE says, the push for the reduction of CO2 emissions will not only translate into the creation of the electric vehicle, but in alternative means to generate electricity for them as well.
"With this technology breakthrough, GE continues to lead innovation in gas engines and has become the first gas engine manufacturer using two-stage turbocharging technology, enabling us to offer our customers significant performance improvements," Prady Iyyanki, GE Power & Water CEO said in a statement.
"While this technology initially is being applied to our largest gas engine, the J624, eventually it will be offered with other engines in our portfolio."
The new technology will become available by summer 2011 and is meant for power producers, CHP, trigeneration and special applications.
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