How it works

How gas turbines produce electricity

To generate electricity, the gas turbine heats a mixture of air and fuel at very high temperatures, causing the turbine blades to spin. The spinning turbine drives a generator that converts the energy into electricity.

The gas turbine can be used in combination with a steam turbine—in a combined-cycle power plant—to create power extremely efficiently.

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Fast fact

The GE 7F.05 gas turbine generates 225 MW, equivalent to 644,000 horsepower, or the power of 644 Formula One cars.

Learn more about the 7F gas turbine   

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Gas turbines 101

See how a gas turbine produces the electric current that delivers power to people.

Frequently asked questions

Learn more about gas turbines

What fuels can a gas turbine use?

  • Arabian Extra Light (AXL) crude oil
  • Arabian Super Light (ASL) crude oil
  • Biodiesel condensate or Natural Gas Liquids (NGL)
  • Dimethyl Ether (DME)
  • Distillate Oil #2 (DO2)
  • Ethane (C2)
  • Heavy crude oil
  • Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO)
  • High H2
  • Hydrogen Blends
  • Kerosene (Jet A or Jet A-1)
  • Lean methane
  • Light Crude Oil (LCO)
  • Liquid Natural Gas (LNG)
  • Liquefied Propane Gas (LPG)
  • Medium crude oil
  • Methanol / ethanol (Alcohol)
  • Naphtha
  • Natural Gas (NG)
  • Sour gas (H2S)
  • Steel mill gases
  • Syngas

How efficient are gas turbines?

GE Vernova’s gas turbine efficiency numbers depend on:

  • The specific turbine design
  • Whether it is used in single-cycle or combined-cycle applications
  • 50/60 Hz electrical frequency
Turbine Min. efficiency Max. efficiency
TM2500 34.9 50.9%
LM2500 35.7 54.9%
LM2500XPRESS   39.0 55.7%
LM6000 40.0 55.6%
6B 33.4 52.4%
GT13E2 38.0 55.6%
7E 33.8 52.9%
9E 34.3 55.3%
7F 38.5 60.5%
9F 38.7 60.4%
7HA 42.0 43.3%
9HA 42.9 44.0%

What is a gas turbine’s running speed?

Rotations per minute (RPM); speeds vary by GE Vernova gas turbine design.

6B = 5163

6F = 5231

GT13E2 = 3000

7E/7F/7HA = 3600

9E/9F/9HA = 3000

LM6000PC = 3600

LM2500/LM2500XPRESS = 3600

TM2500 = 3000 (60 Hz)/3600 (50 Hz)

What is the difference between a gas turbine and a gas engine?

While both machines are considered internal combustion engines that convert a fuel into mechanical energy, they differ in how they operate and the applications where they are used.

A gas turbine mixes compressed air with either natural gas or liquid fuels (Diesel or aviation fuel) then ignites it, producing high-speed exhaust gases that rotate turbine blades connected to a shaft that powers a generator or other machinery. They are used in large-scale power generation and aviation/marine propulsion systems.

A gas engine uses either spark or compression ignition on natural gas, biogas, propane, or liquid gasoline/Diesel fuel to push pistons inside cylinders. They can be used in electricity generation, industrial cogeneration, and transportation (buses, trucks) applications.

What is the lifespan of a gas turbine?

As with most types of heavy machinery, a gas turbine’s operational lifespan depends on how well it is both constructed and maintained. Gas turbines have comparatively long lifespans because they tend to operate continuously and have fewer moving parts.

While this timeframe can’t be distilled down to a specific number, gas turbines can operate continuously if they are inspected every 4000 hours to help ensure that worn bearings/rotors or damaged blade tips aren’t causing excessive vibration. Turbines should also be overhauled every 25,000 to 50,000 hours, depending on service.

Turbine Min. efficiency Max. efficiency
TM2500 34.9 50.9%
LM2500 35.7 54.9%
LM2500XPRESS   39.0 55.7%
LM6000 40.0 55.6%
6B 33.4 52.4%
GT13E2 38.0 55.6%
7E 33.8 52.9%
9E 34.3 55.3%
7F 38.5 60.5%
9F 38.7 60.4%
7HA 42.0 43.3%
9HA 42.9 44.0%

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