Project Overview
The Calpine Corporation operates a 455
MW combined cycle power plant with
cogeneration in Gaston, SC. It went
online in May 2004 providing power to the
local utility and steam to the nearby
chemical
plant,
Voridian
Eastman
Chemical.
CHP Facts
Location:
Gaston, SC
Generation Equipment:
GE 7FA gas-fired combustion turbine
Output:
455 MW (baseload)
609 MW (peaking)
Installation Date:
2004
Estimated Installation Cost:
$365 Million
Fuel:
Natural Gas
The two General Electric gas-fired combustion turbines provide 171 MW each. The
heat is then recovered and run into a steam turbine. The heat from the turbine is then
exhausted and provides steam at 1 million lb/hr to the chemical plant. This supply of
steam allowed Voridan Eastman to shutdown their coal fired boilers.
Project Award
In June 2008 the plant received the Energy Star CHP award for pollution reduction and
energy efficiency. At 54% operating efficiency, this plant is almost 10% more efficient
than other generators in the state.
Columbia Energy Center
455 MW Combustion Turbine Plant
SouthEast CHP
Application Center
www.CHPCenterSE.org
Equipment
• Two GE 7FA Gas Turbines (171.7
MW each)
• Nooter/Eriksen
Heat
Recovery
Steam Generator
• Toshiba Steam Turbine
CHP Operation
The facility now employs 25 full time
people to run the 455 MW plant.
• Turbine Heat Rate: 9,900 kJ/kWh
• Turbine Flow of 445 kg/s at 601ºC
Conclusions
Calpine operates a number of large
scale natural gas CHP power plants.
They often locate their plants near paper
plants, petroleum refineries or chemical
companies. Their need for process heat
makes it mutually beneficial for CHP
power plants to be located in close
proximity.
http://www.calpine.com/power/plant.asp?plant=19
1
http://www.gepower.com/prod_serv/products/gas_
turbines_cc/en/f_class/ms7001fa.htm
http://www.industcards.com/cc‐usa‐carolinas.htm
http://www.power‐
technology.com/projects/columbia‐energy/
http://www.gepower.com/prod_s