Alstom is a global leader in steam turbine technology with over 100 years’ experience in manufacturing, delivering, installing and servicing steam turbine‑generator sets. It has delivered more than 1,000 industrial steam turbines of below 100 MW, totalling 17 GW in installed capacity worldwide.
With highly efficient components and customisable cycles to maximise overall plant efficiency and flexibility in operation, Alstom offers two industrial steam turbine product lines suitable for a wide variety of applications such as biomass, waste‑to‑energy, concentrated solar power, geothermal, cogeneration for industrial applications, independent power producers and utilities:
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yWith high reliability and proven technologies, the geared reaction steam turbines feature highly flexible modular concept that comes in a plug‑and‑play package to reduce installation and commissioning time and costs, providing optimised solutions for efficient steam production.
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yThe advanced mid‑sized steam turbines comprise a flexible modular concept, proven technology and high efficiency. Thanks to the flexibility of its design, it is available in reheat and non‑reheat configurations with axial and downward exhaust options allowing it to be integrated into any plant configuration.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Alstom’s researchers and engineers work in collaboration with partners and local universities with a view to devise effective solutions in terms of cost, performance, flexibility and environmental footprint. The inherent flexibility of hydro makes it an ideal complement to intermittent renewable energy sources of power generation. However, intermittency requires today’s hydraulic machines to withstand more starts and stops and to operate at wider ranges of power outputs, putting more stress on the machines. To design machines that can withstand these stresses, Alstom has R&D programmes focused on mechanical fatigue and hydraulic behaviour, using calculations backed up by site experience.
Creating in‑house Alstom hydro product designs, Global Technology Centres contribute to breakthroughs in the fields of power regulation, energy storage, variable speed technologies, composite materials, services, environmental solutions and the next generation of high efficiency and flexible turbine and generator designs adapted to the evolving requirements of the market. Located close to its customers around the world, Alstom’s Global Technology Centres provide valuable feedback of experience from projects. A network of 6 centres located in Alstom’s main markets is in operation today:
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yGrenoble (France – lead centre), dedicated to turbines with a new test platform dedicated to tidal bulb turbines;
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yBirr (Switzerland), focused on generators; y
yVadodara (India), dedicated to Pelton turbines and sand erosion solutions with a dedicated Pelton test platform;
(1) Part of the ReDapt (Reliable Data Acquisition Platform for Tidal) consortium project, implemented and co‑funded by the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI). (2) Tidal turbine development receive the support of ADEME and FEDER (Fonds Européen de Développement en Région).
(3) The choice is part of the Investissements d’Avenir Scheme, calling for €47 billion to fund innovation in France and increase its growth potential: www.ademe.fr – www.investissement‑avenir.gouvernement.fr.
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DESCRIPTION OF GROUP ACTIVITIES
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Alstom Renewable Power
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ySorel Tracy (Canada), focused on retrofit/modernisation; y
yTaubaté (Brazil), specialised in Kaplan turbines with a dedicated Kaplan test platform, and in solutions for low head hydro power plants;
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yTianjin (China), specialised in medium Francis turbines.
Alstom has made continuous advancements in pumped storage technology which has been reflected in recent wins such as Gilboa (Israel) and Qiongzhong (China), as well as the industry’s first conversion of a fixed speed pumped storage unit to variable speed at EDF’s Le Cheylas (France) plant as part of the European Commission‑funded eStorage project.
In the field of onshore wind, the ECO 100 platform offers high yield and leading efficiency across all wind classes. Latest evolution of this platform, the ECO 122 was specifically designed to harness medium and low winds thanks to its 122 metres rotor diameter. This new generation of onshore wind turbines also features technological innovations, particularly with regards to tower height and rated power, with a model now commercially available in 3 MW, complementing its version in 2.7 MW. Through those latest changes, the ECO 122 allows wind farms located on less windy sites to offer better yields.
In offshore wind technologies, the HALIADE™ 150 is a new generation of large 6 MW direct drive turbines specially designed to meet the needs of the French, German and UK markets, as a first step. Two prototypes are installed in Europe, pre‑series will be installed in the US with series production expected to start in 2015.
The HALIADE™ 150‑6 MW turbine incorporates dedicated offshore technology in collaboration with some of the industry’s leading component suppliers:
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yThe ALSTOM PURE TORQUE® technology protects the generator and improves its performance by diverting unwanted stresses from the wind safely to the turbine’s tower through the main frame.
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y With no mechanical gearbox coupled to the generator, the turbine consists of fewer rotating parts, increasing reliability, maximising turbine availability and reducing maintenance costs. The use of a permanent magnet generator (PMG) leads to better generation efficiencies and even greater overall mechanical reliability. The innovative “Advanced High Density” direct drive PMG is a more compact and lightweight design compared to earlier generation direct drive systems.
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y Using 73.5‑metre turbine blades jointly developed with LM Wind Power, the 150‑metre rotor diameter combined with 6 MW rated power maximises the capture of energy. The turbine generates up to 40% more electricity per kg of material used than today’s offshore machines (source: Alstom).
In the domain of solar energy, Alstom pursues several R&D product and technology programmes leveraging its experience in traditional power generation technologies. The current Alstom CSP offering focuses on a range from 50 to 250 MWe, with potential for project‑specific extensions. Technology evolution is designed, tested, validated in cooperation with primary institutes and universities as well as in Alstom test facilities. The same principle of providing market‑responsive, performing, effective and reliable optimised pre‑engineered solutions applies for Alstom development in geothermal and biomass products, where Alstom exploits its integration experience and turbine and turbogenerator portfolio. Alstom ensures the proper level of cross‑fertilisation between the different units of Renewable Power as well as with the Group to achieve the full leveraging of its unique technological platforms (for instance, tidal technology using both hydro and wind competencies, CSP technology leveraging steam turbine existing expertise).
DESCRIPTION OF GROUP ACTIVITIES
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
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Alstom Grid
ALSTOM GRID
Alstom Grid has one clear vision: to develop innovative solutions for a flexible, reliable, affordable and sustainable electrical grid everywhere. Alstom designs, manufactures, installs and services the power transmission and distribution products as well as systems that empower the planet’s low carbon economy.
The Sector boasts a complete portfolio of power equipment and software solutions for the efficient transmission of electricity to serve its customers across the entire energy chain.
With more than 130 years of experience, Alstom Grid has played a key role in the development of electrical transmission and distribution grids.
INDUSTRY CHARACTERISTICS
Market evolution
Services and Smart Grid solutions should grow at a moderate pace, while the High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) market is expected to stay at high level (~€4 billion/year). A flat Alternative Current (AC) transmission market is expected in the coming years. Increased exchange rate volatility and low oil prices could impact the overall market value.