A gas turbine is a combustion engine at the heart of a power plant that can convert natural gas or other liquid fuels to mechanical energy. This energy then drives a generator that produces the electrical energy that moves along power lines to homes and businesses.
Gas turbine benefits
Fast, flexible, and sustainable
GE Vernova gas turbines are a great choice for a variety of industries and applications. Featuring unmatched fuel flexibility, ability to complement renewables, and fast installation/startup time, our aeroderivative and heavy-duty gas turbines offer proven, industry-leading performance.
Up to 100% hydrogen capability
As little as 2 weeks installation and commissioning
As fast as 5 minutes start time
More than 7,000 units worldwide
7000+ worldwide operating turbines
34 MW to 571 MW output range
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
Featured video
Gas turbines 101
See how a gas turbine produces the electric current that delivers power to people.
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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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