Abstract
With the set-in of the 21st century, energy and environmental problems such as energy security and global warming are sparking much greater controversy as burning issues that sways the fate of human beings. One of technologies presently available to deal with these issues is combined cycle power generation facility that can enhance the efficiency of power generation. At Tohoku Electric Power Company, we successfully developed and introduced Japan's first large-capacity combined cycle power plant (Higashi Niigata Thermal Power Plant Unit 3) in 1985. Going through experience in the operation and maintenance of this plant, we set about R&D on a high-efficiency gas turbine in 1987. The Unit 4-1 train of our Higashi Niigata Thermal Power Station was constructed by applying the results of this high-efficiency gas turbine R&D program, and by applying expertise we gained from the planning, construction, operation and maintenance of the Unit 3 train.
