Day one of the conference was packed with excitement as end-users presented their short plant presentations, covering the most important events of the past three years. After such a long break since the last user meeting, it was a much-needed opportunity for participants to share and discuss their experiences.

Throughout the day, there were many key topics discussed, including the compressor vane carrier life limiting factors and plant solutions, plant peaking performance and flexibility, and operation experiences using Light Fuel Oil in DLN mode. Attendees also got to hear about exhaust diffuser cracking and new design experiences, as well as DCS plant control upgrade experiences, with tips for those planning their own control system upgrades.

Other notable topics included eHGPI experiences and inspection findings after 46,000 EOH, the modification of a CCPP into a synchronous condenser, rotor LTE and the rotor swap process, generator rotor coil failure and the corrective actions taken and Si3D+bearing upgrade. The day wrapped up with end user Q&A and discussions.

Ansaldo Energia met the end users of AE94.2 and SGT5-2000E gas turbine in Rome. Many topics have been submitted from the Users and the Steering Committee before and during the meeting, giving Ansaldo Energia the opportunity to reply in detail and to set up an effective session, placing the expertise at the core of its products and solutions.

Ansaldo day included the following main topic areas:

1. Life extension of parts and maintenance updates
2. Market Drivers Overview
3. AE product portfolio including MXL2 Light and Full upgrades
4. Cycling units issues and most critical parts to meet the lifetime
5. Control system upgrade and migration capabilities
6. Steam turbine services & solutions for cycling power plants
7. AE meet the specialists: get in touch with digital and green tech products for energy transition

AE summarizing comments:
Ansaldo Energia presented the latest development and the return from the field, to face the current and future operation challenges and to catch the new market opportunities, together.

On February 28 and March 1, #teampurple had the honor to be invited by #GTUsers to the V94.2 User Conference in Rome. What a difference to meet our customers in person after a two-year restriction to net meetings, due to the pandemic. We experienced great discussions during the marketplace showing us the deep interest of our customers in a broad field of topics.
Although the V94.2 (nowadays called SGT5-2000E) was born in 1981, this gas turbine frame nevertheless plays an important role in the #energytransition.

This has been shown on the basis of several presentations, e.g.:

1. A recently finalized project with synchronized condensers for grid stabilization.
2. Product development activities on ultrafast starts to ensure rapid load increase, e.g. to backup wind farms and photovoltaic plants.
3. Hydrogen cofiring capabilities for #decarbonization.

Additionally, presentations were given about the new turbine blading Si3D+™ upgrade, lifecycle topics (e.g. extensions of intervals and end of lifetime), digitalization, and flexible operation. The high reliability and robustness of this type of gas turbine can be very well demonstrated by the fact that the customer of the first V94.2 still operates it (for 42 years) and participated in the conference.
We enjoyed the trustful exchange with our customers and hope to see all of them again next year.

1. Define project objectives
2. Vendor prequalification
3. Defined scope in specification
4. Application specific design
5. Well defined engineering deliverables
6. Complete drawing and engineering package
7. HMI design
8. Planned approach on SIL and Cybersecurity
9. Customer participation in design reviews
10. Panel testing - dynamic simulation
11. Detailed outage planning with customer participation
12. Allow sufficient time on schedule

Sulzer

Sulzer upgrade of a V94.2 to version 7, Ervin Mom/ Sulzer

Sulzer Upgrade Case Study covered a project of a V94.2 to Version 7.

What is most valuable feature to the Client: Initial step in an upgrade project is to define what is the most important feature for the Operator:

1. TBO extension
2. Power & efficiency increase
3. Both

Technical evaluation of the selected scope.

TBO extension covers possible life extension scope including damage mechanics analysis, condition of turbine components exposed to during operation and component material and coating features.

Sulzer can upgrade components from any version to the required version regarding TBO life and power & efficiency increase during a repair cycle or supply components with required design and base material.

Upgrade Strategy is established with the Client:

Aim to upgrade components during a regular outage and depending on the version of the components, their service life and the resulting component conditions, the:

• Components can extend a longer service overhaul without upgrade requirement
• Components require an upgrade that can be applied during a repair cycle
• Components can not be upgraded during a repair cycle and replacement by upgraded new part is required

For the combination of TBO extension and power & efficiency increase Sulzer supplies and replaces components which has required properties for the upgrade.