FAQs
Energy, Explained
Here, you will find the most common energy-related questions and answers that we hear from our current and prospective customers.
What is an aeroderivative gas turbine?
A supremely reliable power-generation machine. The technology of choice for all PROENERGY installations is our PE6000 aeroderivative gas turbine. It takes a large portion of a 747 engine—built to be among the most reliable machines on the planet—and alters it for use on the ground. Rather than providing thrust to lift an airplane into the sky, the engine output is harnessed to produce electricity. One engine can produce enough energy for 40,000 homes.
WHAT IS A DISPATCHABLE-POWER OR PEAKING FACILITY?
Dispatchable power facilities are small, agile plants that provide power quickly when demand is high. More and more communities operate with a small—and narrowing—margin between power supply and demand. These facilities can produce energy during extreme weather or when other power sources do not produce. They deliver power efficiently, sustainably, and reliably.
WHY USE NATURAL-GAS-POWERED EQUIPMENT?
It is ideal for the energy transition. As the world retires coal-fired plants and installs more renewable generation, communities need to maintain safe, reliable energy production. Right now, the best solution is clean, efficient natural-gas-powered plants combined with state-of-the-art emission-reducing equipment, which helps to stabilize grids and decarbonize the environment at once.
WHY NOT TRANSITION TO 100% RENEWABLE ENERGY RIGHT NOW?
These resources cannot produce consistent energy at all hours of the day. Integrating more renewable energy is a positive change; however, when the wind stops blowing or the sun stops shining, it creates supply gaps. Installing dispatchable power as baseload or backup enables utilities, municipalities, and data centers to continue operating.
Why are plants from PROENERGY different?
They represent the ultimate in efficiency and resilience. Decades of R&D and operational experience go into a single product with a standardized, modular design, which eliminates variability, accelerates installation, and reduces cost through economies of scale. What’s more, our plants feature innovations—such as our in-house-developed anti-icing solution, power augmentation, and predictive technologies—that enhance the reliability of aeroderivative engines beyond their historical track record.
HOW DO PROENERGY PLANTS IMPACT THE ENVIRONMENT?
Each plant is built to meet or exceed any local or federal requirement. Our plants use technology that reduces nitrous oxide and carbon monoxide by 90 and 95 percent, respectively. In addition, these plants have minimal noise impact on neighboring communities, conserve land use, and discharge zero polluted water.
HOW RELIABLE IS THE PE6000 ENGINE?
It is globally deployed and proven reliable. This aeroderivative gas turbine supports 99 percent start reliability with units generating power in commercial operations around the world. The cornerstone of all our fast-start solutions, the PE6000 creates a solid foundation as demonstrated by its operational performance in our own fleet.
CAN THE PE6000 EVER BE ZERO CARBON?
We believe zero carbon is possible. Today, the PE6000 engine can reduce carbon emissions by blending up to 35 percent hydrogen fuel. For the future, PROENERGY is committed to an R&D plan toward the goal of 100 percent hydrogen operation. As this is a key research initiative, we have invested heavily in making it a reality and will leverage the unique capabilities of our string-test facility in Sedalia, Missouri, to assess the limits of hydrogen fuel mixes.