Renewable energy has become more widespread in recent years. At the same time, the importance of gas turbine combined cycle (GTCC) power generation has also been on the rise because of the power supply instability of renewable energy. For higher GTCC efficiency, a higher temperature of the gas turbine is important. Mitsubishi Power, Ltd. (Mitsubishi Power) developed the high-efficiency M501J gas turbine, which attained the world's first turbine inlet temperature of 1600°C, utilizing the development results from the "1700°C class Ultrahigh-Temperature Gas Turbine Component Technology Development" national project in which it has participated since 2004. We have since steadily accumulated operating results. At T-point 2 in January 2020, we started test operation of the next-generation 1650°C class JAC series gas turbine, which is based on the proven J series and uses an enhanced air-cooled system for cooling the combustor, a thicker TBC (thermal barrier coating) and a compressor with a high pressure ratio as its core technologies, all of which have been validated as individual elements at the T-point demonstration facility. The final confirmation of the integrity of equipment reliability, performance, etc., was completed and commercial operation started in July 2020. This report presents the verification results of the test operation and the operation status thereafter.
