An Overview of Gas Turbine Technologies for Power Generation in Europe

This article presents the three objectives of European energy policy namely mastering global change and pollution, security of energy supply and creation of employment and the enhancement of the competitiveness of the European industry. An overview of power generation with gas turbine systems is given and the European Union strategy for supporting the development of these systems is presented. Ways to improve the performance of the several types of gas turbine cycle will be a major objective in the coming years. The targets are combined cycle efficiencies above 60%, industrial gas turbine system efficiencies of at least 50%, small gas turbines efficiencies above 35% and designs for the use of fuels with less than 25% of the heating value of natural gas. A core of European projects in the field of industrial gas turbines has been formed. It is believed that the co-ordination of these activities together with the liaison with national and other projects will act as a catalyst to enhance the competitiveness of the European industry.