OPEN CYCLE GAS TURBINE

What is an Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT)

An open cycle gas turbine is a combustion turbine plant fired by liquid fuel to turn a
generator rotor that produces electricity. The residual heat is exhausted to
atmosphere at about 550 degrees Celsius. This technology is similar in design to
the combustion turbines, or jet engines, used in the aviation industry.

The turbine and generators are housed in enclosures designed to reduce noise
levels and occupy an area of approximately 75m X 25m per unit. The exhaust stack
height is approximately 30m with the height of the intake structure being 20m.

How does an OCGT work

Fuel

Generator

A compressor sucks air in from the atmosphere and compresses it through a number
of compressor stages. Fuel is pumped into a combustion chamber and mixed with
the compressed air. The fuel/air mixture is then ignited to form hot, high velocity
gas. This gas is passed through turbine blades that turn the shaft that is attached to
the rotor of the generator. The rotor turns inside the stator and electricity is
generated. This electricity is then distributed via the high voltage network to where it
is needed.

Eskom’s OCGT Project:

Due to the growth in the South African economy, which results in an increased
demand for electricity, Eskom’s excess electricity generation capacity is being
depleted, especially when it comes to supplying electricity during peak demand
periods. When government gave Eskom the green light to build new power stations
in October 2004, work started in earnest to determine the kind of peaking plant that
can be built in a relatively short time, given that it became clear that Eskom would
need additional capacity to meet the demand during the winter of 2007.

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Based on the following considerations, it was decided to build two OCGT plants:

• The technology has been proven all over the world and has a good track record.
• There are numerous suppliers across the world.
• Open Cycle Gas stations can be built in 3 to 4 years, and can be fast tracked,
resulting in even shorter project lead times.

The proposed OCGT gas turbine stations will add approximately 1000MW of new
generation capacity, and the plan is to have the two stations operational by the
winter of 2007. It is estimated that an open cycle gas turbine’s life span is 25 years.

Proposed Plant Locations

Seven potential locations for the two OCGT stations were identified in the Western
Cape, with the preferred locations being in the Atlantis Industrial Area and next to
the PetroSA fuel manufacturing facility in Mossel Bay. There are numerous
advantages to the chosen sites such as existing infrastructure resulting in less time
and money required for site development, and relatively easy access to liquid fuel.
The sites are strategically placed to make use of the opportunity to use gas as
primary energy source should natural gas become available in future.

The Proposed Atlantis Plant Location

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The Atlantis OCGT station will receive its liquid fuel (kerosene or diesel) from one of
the major fuel suppliers either via road, rail or pipeline, with road being the preferred
option. The Atlantis plant will consist of 3 to 5 units, depending on the manufacturer
selected, and will generate approximately 600MW.

Integration of the power station into the transmission network will be via 4 x 400kV
lines in to the existing Aurora – Koeberg 400kV lines. This will require the building of
a maximum 10 kilometres of line.

The Proposed Mossel Bay Plant Location

PetroSA Site

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The Mossel Bay OCGT station will receive its fuel from the PetroSA facilities. The
plant will use liquid fuel and will consist of 3 or 4 units, depending on the
manufacturer selected, generating approximately 450MW.

Integration of the power station into the transmission network will be via 2 x 400kV
lines into the Proteus substation. This will require the building of approximately 30
km of line.

Produced by: Generation Communication

GFS 0039 Revision 0 (September 2005)