펜실베니아, 뉴 플로렌스에 위치한 NRG Energy의 Seward 전력 발전소가 GE로부터 Ecomagination Leadership Award를 수여받았다. 이는 GE와 그것의 물 화학 기술을 적용하여 수자원 활용에 있어 그 양을 줄이고 처리비용 또한 획기적으로 절감한 사안에 기인했던 것으로 드러났다.

525 메가 와트의 석탄 연료를 사용하는 본 전력 발전소는 GE의 효율적인 정화 시설을 이용하여 성능을 증대하기 위해 도움을 요청했었다. 이에 GE는 발전소에서 사용되는 냉각수에 함유된 퇴적물을 거를 수 있는 정화 기술을 지원했다. GE는 이를 위해 6년에 걸쳐 화학 기술 운영 변화, 기계 설비 업그레이드를 진행하였다. 이 노력의 결과로 Seward 전력 발전소는 친환경적 수자원 활용 목표치를 달성할 수 있게 되었다.

TREVOSE, PA, July 10, 2013 -- NRG Energy's (NYSE: NRG) Seward Power Station in New Florence, Pa., has been recognized by GE (NYSE: GE) with an ecomagination Leadership Award for the utility's significant reduction in water usage and treatment costs with the help of GE and its water chemical technology.

The 525-megawatt coal-fired power plant turned to GE for help in optimizing the performance of its influent clarifier, which removes suspended solids from the water used for power generation and in the cooling tower. GE participated in a six-year effort, including chemical and operational changes and mechanical upgrades, to help Seward meet its goals.

Among other benefits, the Seward Power Station experienced a 25 percent reduction in its total water treatment costs per million gallons and a 100-million-gallon annual reduction in blow down water from the cooling tower. Also, the reduction of manganese was greater than 90 percent consistently. Since 2008, the Seward Power Station achieved more than $500,000 in cumulative savings.

From Left to Right: Mark Gabriel (Corporate Accounts Manager, GE), Fran Sullivan (Senior Vice President of Operations, NRG), Greg Mitchell (Seward Station Plant Manager, NRG), Kevin Cassidy (Chemicals & Monitoring Solutions Business Leader, GE)

Plant management recognized an opportunity for improvement and turned to GE for help in meeting its goals. As a result, operating and treatment costs on the cooling towers were evaluated, and it was determined that improvements could be made to the plant's tower treatment and clarifier performance to maintain condenser performance.

Based upon technical expertise and practical experience gained from the field, GE and the team at Seward Power Station identified several mechanical issues that could be modified. During planned outages over the next several years, the plant made many revisions to the clarifier. In addition, GE conducted an operational excellence survey during this time to optimize the clarifier and cooling tower operation. The end result of the modifications was improved water quality, a significant reduction in water treatment costs to the station and a positive impact on the environment.

GE awarded Seward an ecomagination Leadership Award to recognize the company for its noteworthy reductions in water usage and discharge. GEs ecomagination Leadership Award recognizes the achievements of industrial users that significantly surpass and improve environmental and industrial operational goals while balancing industrial demands.

[출처: Waterworld / 2013년 7월 10일]