GE has agreed to provide electrical variable speed drive (eVSD) technology including motors and MV7000 drives that would help power the Yanbu 3 power and desalination plant in Saudi Arabia
The scope of supply includes 15 induction motors (17.1 MW each), 15 input transformers (23MVA) and 15 medium voltage (MV) Variable Frequency Drives (VFD) 18 MW each, said GE officials.
The power and water treatment facility is being developed by Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) 200 km north of Jeddah, on the Red Sea coast. It is expected to produce 2,700MW of power and supply 550,000 cu/m of clean water for eight million residents and businesses in the region. GE?s systems will increase the efficiency of the desalination plant and minimise the use of excess energy to run the plant.
Sandro Malquori, general manager of MENA and Turkey at GE?s power conversion business, said, ?GE?s eVSDs offer plant operators four key benefits over conventional equipment including greater energy savings, operation flexibility and reliability and lower maintenance costs. Our research has shown that an eight per cent increase in energy efficiency will help save the region US$13.2bn over 10 years, and we are committed to working with the Kingdom to deliver these savings.?
According to Abdul Hadi Al-Sheikh, deputy governor and project director of SWCC, a growing population, alongside strong growth in industry, makes meeting the region?s energy and water needs a major challenge.
The MV7000 eVSD?s integrated solution helps maximise the lifespan of the plant?s power generation equipment by controlling motor speed, torque and power as well as providing more than 95 per cent efficiency over the plant?s operational life cycle. The eVSDs respond rapidly to changes in load, speed and torque commands and require very limited, simple maintenance.
GE officials confirmed that they are supplying MV7000 eVSD drive and electric motor equipment to pumps manufacturer KSB and its customer, local engineering, procurement and construction company Al-Toukhi. The equipment will be used to power the boiler feed pumps at the new Yanbu 3 facility.
