Press Releases 2014

On December 4, 2013, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) started trial operation after reconstruction work to change the gas turbine power generation facilities (rated output: 334MW x 3 units; thermal efficiency: 39.0%; fuel: LNG) at Chiba Thermal Power Station to a combined cycle type, to improve the output and power generation efficiency. Today, TEPCO completed all inspection work and formally began commercial operations of Unit 1 of Group 3 (rated output of combined cycle facilities: 500MW).

The power station employs a 1,500℃ combined cycle power generation system (MACC: More Advanced Combined Cycle). With exhaust gas denitrization equipment installed to a heat recovery steam generator, the emission of nitrogen oxide during operations is suppressed to reduce the impact on the environment.

Below are the characteristics of Group 3, Unit 1 of Chiba Thermal Power Station:

(1) Realization of higher output and efficiency via combined cycle facilities
The existing gas turbine facilities were converted into combined cycle power generation facilities by adding a steam turbine and a heat recovery steam generator, etc. The effective use of exhaust heat from the gas turbine increased the output from 334MW to 500MW without consuming additional fuel.
Compared to the system before the combined cycle was introduced, the above change improved the thermal efficiency from 39.0% to about 58%. This increase of around half suppresses the fuel consumption and CO₂ emission by about 30%.

(2) Realization of an environment-friendly power station with the latest exhaust-gas treatment technologies
Environment-friendly facilities, such as the state-of-the-art low NOx (nitrogen oxide) combustor and advanced NOx removal equipment, are employed.

TEPCO will continue to do its utmost to provide a stable supply of electricity through the stable operation and maintenance of its electricity facilities.