Energy transition China ignites its own mega gas turbine

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When the Chinese Minister of Industry personally visits, something significant must have happened, such as in early October in Shanghai: the ignition of the first heavy gas turbine made domestically.

Henrik Bork, long-time China correspondent for "Süddeutsche Zeitung" and "Frankfurter Rundschau" (both German Newspapers), is Managing Director at Asia Waypoint, a consulting agency specialized in China based in Beijing. 

The high-performance gas turbine with a capacity of 300 megawatts was developed by "China United Gas Turbine Technology Co." Consisting of 50,000 components and filled to the brim with all kinds of high-tech, it is the new pride of the Chinese manufacturing industry.

The turbine generates one-eighth of Beijing's hourly energy consumption

The keynote speakers at the inauguration of the massive project in the Shanghai district of Lingang spoke of a "milestone" for their country’s advanced manufacturing—and this seems by no means an exaggeration: Until now, only a few companies worldwide were capable of producing such industrial gas turbines, often referred to as the "crown jewels of manufacturing," including Siemens in Germany, General Electric in the USA, and Mitsubishi in Japan. Now, China has carved out a place for itself in this exclusive club through its own efforts.

By burning natural gas, this single F-class heavy-duty turbine can generate 450,000 kilowatts of electricity per hour, said a company manager during the successful ignition test. This corresponds to approximately "one-eighth of the average hourly energy consumption in Beijing."

High energy efficiency

The energy efficiency reaches a level of 55 percent, significantly higher than traditional thermal power plants which operate at 35 to 46 percent, according to the employee. This technology is also highly compatible with wind and solar power installations, aiding in "grid peak shaving," which enhances its importance for climate protection, it was noted further.

The carbon dioxide emissions are about half as high as those from coal-fired power plants, making this cleaner, more sustainable technology essential for China and other nations if they are to achieve their climate goals.

From the China Daily

Technology has two sides

Various models of such gas turbines can be used for power generation, but also to drive warships, such as medium-sized aircraft carriers. For China, it has therefore been a declared goal for many years to be able to build these machines themselves one day and not have to import them from abroad as before.

In the strategic plan "Made in China 2025," the ten key industries are listed in which China intends to particularly push forward the modernization of its industry. Both "energy and power generation" and "high-tech shipbuilding and maritime industry" are included on this list.

Due to their high operating temperatures, the associated susceptibility to corrosion of many components, and the required precision of the rotor blades, gas turbines are considered true masterpieces of engineering.

In this particular case, the challenge was especially formidable because an industrial gas turbine of such magnitude presents a tough nut to crack even for the world's best engineers. Due to their high operating temperatures (in this case, 1400 degrees Celsius), the associated susceptibility to corrosion of many components, and the required precision of the rotor blades, gas turbines are considered true masterpieces of engineering.

China closes technology gap

In 2016, under the supervision of the State Council and key ministries, the special project "Aviation Engine and Gas Turbine" began in China. Nearly 200 state-owned enterprises, research institutions, and some private companies nationwide were involved. At the time, media reports indicated that China was 30 years behind the West in this technology. "The rapid progress of the team has now closed this technology gap in less than a decade," commented the South China Morning Post on the turbine ignition test in Shanghai.

As China's industry always keeps an eye on exporting its products, here again, in a relatively short period of time, a serious competitor in the high-tech sector of advanced German manufacturing has emerged.

Milestone for China, problematic for Germany

In July of this year, officials in Berlin believed they could still delay China's catch-up in this field. German Economy Minister Habeck prohibited the Volkswagen Group from selling the gas turbine business of its subsidiary "MAN Energy Solutions" to a Chinese company. He justified this decision with security concerns, citing the use of gas turbines in warships. The Chinese investor in question reportedly had certain connections to his country's navy.

It is also fair to mention the context, as the Greens generally prefer to have as little to do with China as possible and view its economic rise with suspicion. However, the problem with such "security concerns" backed by military justifications and market interventions, in this specific case, is that it jeopardizes the jobs of 140 employees at MAN in Germany. "We see no future for the business," a VW spokesperson was quoted in the magazine Focus following the Habeck decision. The company now has to completely wind down the gas turbine business.

Depending on the observer's perspective, the ignition of the 300-MW gas turbine in Shanghai represents either a "milestone" achievement or rather bad news. It is a technology that can be utilized in the energy transition and the decarbonization of the manufacturing industry, and for which there is significant international demand. Its manufacturers in China are supported and favored by politics, while competitors in Germany are forced to shut down. This dichotomy reflects broader global economic and political dynamics, where technological advancements and geopolitical interests often intersect and create complex challenges for international relations and domestic policies.

From an objective perspective, it must be noted that the manufacturing of heavy-duty gas turbines indeed has a future—just less so in Germany and increasingly more so in China.