Power Generation

Global energy demand is expected to increase 50% by 2050. Our power-generation control solutions work with the range of traditional and alternative fuel sources to meet the needs and demands of today and of the decades ahead

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Control Solutions for Reliable and Clean Power Generation

For more than 150 years, power generation asset owners and OEMs have relied on us to meet their commitments to customers and the environment. Generating electricity has never been more challenging with increasing demand, decarbonization initiatives, alternative fuels, and renewable energy sources with variable output.

Our customers design, own and operate utilities, microgrids, data centers, commercial and institutional facilities, and power plants. Whether generating electricity for distribution to the grid or their own power demands, we help keep the lights on.

We support the power generation industry with our complete turbomachinery and engine control solutions. Our offerings include OEM-qualified, high availability/reliability control systems, valves, actuators and power management solutions.

Power Generation Applications

Aeroderivative Gas Turbine Controls

These rapid-response gas turbines have never been more important to grid stability. They respond to load changes very quickly, which makes them ideal for peaking service. However, they also can overspeed quickly, causing expensive turbine damage and unplanned downtime. This is why OEMs select our control system: For speed of response and proven reliability.

  • OEM-qualified turbine control systems
  • Complete “plug and play” fuel skids for ease of installation
  • Total solution for all control requirements from fuel valves, air valves, guide vane actuators and turbine control systems.

Heavy-Duty Gas Turbines

Heavy-duty gas turbines have become the fleet’s workhorse as coal-fired generation systems are retired. They are dispatched daily to help offset the loss in baseload from coal retirement, as well as to stabilize the grid to support renewables and decarbonization. In addition, hydrogen and other alternatives have been added to the fuel mix to support decarbonization initiatives. 

  • Complete solution including fuel valves, air valves, guide vane actuators and turbine control systems
  • Low differential pressure fuel valve design enables reduced natural gas compression costs. 
  • All electric-powered actuation systems for improved safety and reliability

Reciprocating Engines

 

Large internal-combustion engines have been deployed for base-load generation and critical backup power. These engines are becoming more prevalent in data center and microgrid applications for their scalability and ability to use a wide variety of fuels, including low-carbon fuels. 

  • Rugged controls, actuators and valves designed to withstand the high-vibration and high-temperature environment of reciprocation engines
  • Wide range of injectors, fuel pumps, fuel valves that are applicable to a variety of fuel types, such as diesel, natural gas, hydrogen, ammonia and methanol
  • Complete solutions for engine control that work together to deliver the maximum fuel efficiency and minimum emissions
  • Power management products to enable genset synchronization, load sharing and island/grid mode operation

Steam Turbines

These turbines are widely used in power generation applications because they are highly flexible and able to run for extended periods without maintenance. They are applied in diverse applications such as combined cycle, nuclear, coal, waste to energy and geothermal and are well-suited to use a variety of fuel sources including decarbonized fuels.

  • Rugged actuators designed to withstand varnishing and contamination in hydraulic systems
  • Direct, steam valve actuators that eliminate complex linkages with pilot valve schemes
  • Triple-modular redundant overspeed protection systems that are online testable
  • Easy-to-configure control systems that don’t require programming

Hydro Turbines

The first renewable energy source and now a key component of a low-carbon generating strategy. These units were originally designed to provide flood control in major waterways, and now they are relied upon to deliver base-load generation as well as pumped storage.

  • Cybersecure, control systems based on more than 100 years of experience, dating back to Woodward’s first water wheel governor in 1890
  • Existing control algorithms for Pelton, Kaplan and Francis turbines

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