The New 40-MW Gas Turbine of the Västervik Central Station

In the autumn of 1955 the Swedish State Power Board decided to build a gas-turbine central at Vätervik on the Swedish East Coast, which would be utilized as a dry-year and peak-load plant and to be run for phase compensation to diminish transmission losses. Heavy fuel oil burning, low first cost, minimum personnel requirement, quick start even from “dead station,” possibility to arrange remote operation and an acceptable noise level were all of importance. It was found, that the size of the State power system as well as the over-all economy called for a large gas turbine. The De Laval Ljungstrom Company submitted plans for a 40-mw, three-shaft arrangement with a simple, intercooled cycle and a free-running power turbine, which was accepted for completion in the fall of 1959. 1770 hours of operation have been accumulated in the station as of May 1, 1961, and the present paper gives a general description thereof and a discussion on the initial operational experience.