Case Study: EC&R achieves 40% faster, 50% lower-cost combined cycle starts and up to 60% more operating hours with GE Digital

E.ON Achieves Faster, Lower Cost Combined Cycle Plant Starts With GE's Opflex Solutions

EC&R, a major power generator, was struggling to economically dispatch its gas-fired combined cycle plants because high gas prices and low power demand left units running far fewer profitable hours. To operate competitively in time-sensitive markets EC&R needed faster, more reliable and lower-cost combined cycle starts, so it turned to GE Digital for advanced controls and optimization.

GE Digital implemented a retrofit package combining its Variable Load Path (VLP) solution and AutoTune MX automated combustor tuning to enable agile, robust starts across the full load range. The GE Digital upgrade delivered 40% faster starts, 50% lower start costs and up to 60% more operating hours and starts versus non‑upgraded plants, proven on more than 10 units across five sites with over 20,000 cumulative hours and 1,000 starts through December 2015.

EC&R