Siemens commissioned its Clean Energy Center for intensive research into burner technology

Photo by Siemens AG Energy Sector

Siemens has commissioned its Clean Energy Center, a new burner test center for gas turbines in Ludwigsfelde near Berlin. Combustion processes in gas turbines will be examined and validated at the Clean Energy Center, with the aim of enhancing the efficiency of the Siemens gas turbines and improving their flexibility regarding the use of different liquid and gaseous fuels. Siemens invested a total of around EUR 100 million in this new research and development site. The Clean Energy Center is part of the Siemens Berlin gas turbine manufacturing plant location.

In a gas turbine, different fuels, such as natural gas or liquid fuels, are mixed with air under high pressure and ignited in up to 24 burners, depending on the particular model. The Siemens gas turbine portfolio includes models with capacities between 5 to 400 megawatt (MW). The new test center, which was erected on a site covering 36,000 square meters, will play a key role in the development of new and the modernization of existing gas turbines. There are now several test cells available in Ludwigsfelde in which combustion processes can be analyzed and optimized under realistic conditions.

In the course of these tests, various measured variables, such as output, efficiency, emission levels and flame stability are determined. The goal here is to qualify the gas turbines for new fuels so that new applications can be tapped. Siemens tests the behavior of burners and gas turbines when burning contaminated gases, low- calorific process gases such as coke oven gas and blast furnace gas, or liquid fuels such as crude oil, naphtha, heavy fuel oil and other condensates produced in the petrochemicals industry.

“Our highly efficient gas turbine and combined cycle power plants are marked by their high degree of availability and flexibility and their low emissions. In our new Berlin test center we can conduct more intensive research into burner technology independently of external test facilities, which enables us to be even more innovative,” stated Christopher Steinwachs, head of the business segment Large Gas Turbines within the Siemens Power and Gas Division.

For more information, please visit http://www.energy.siemens.com/hq/en.

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