Development of the Advanced Cycle Low-Power Gas Turbine Alternator (ACL GTA)

The Royal Navy (RN) is pursuing the ‘All Electric’ ship under its Marine Engineering Development Strategy (MEDS). This strategy envisages the use of long life, fuel efficient, advanced cycle marine gas turbine alternator sets in an Integrated Electric Propulsion (IEP) system, which includes the wide scale electrification of auxiliary systems. In 2000 the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) placed a contract on Turbomeca Limited, France, for the development of a 1.8MW advanced cycle gas turbine driving a high speed alternator, providing 800V dc output. The basic details of this 1.8MW Gas Turbine Alternator (GTA), known as the ACL GTA, have been provided at papers presented at ASME 2001 and 2002. This paper will briefly reiterate the basic engine design including the recuperator, and provide details of the recently selected directly coupled High Speed Alternator (HSA). Progress with the overall programme and meeting project aims will be reviewed. Issues surrounding the power output, self sustainability and power system stability when operating in parallel with large GTAs will be discussed. Reference will be made to the GTA’s ability to compete in a highly competitive market dominated by diesel driven alternators.