2. TECHNOLOGY AND SERVICES
2.1 Manufacturing Profile
Since Alstom sold Ruston, its diesel engines business in the UK, to MAN B&W it no longer produces diesel engines.
Alstom Power makes a range of gas turbines, for onshore applications, oil and gas applications and marine applications. However, only one size of unit is currently classified for use in marine applications.
The GT35 model has been evolving since the 1950s, benefiting from a number of upgrades over the past 40 or so years. It uses heavy fuel oil which is considerably cheaper than that used by some of Alstom Power's competitors. Using this type of oil a gas turbine generates fewer than half the Nox emissions of a diesel engine. Using distillate, which is more expensive, this reduces to one tenth.
It is understood that shipowners/shipyards commonly require three or four engines to be installed in passenger vessels, for safety reasons. If one or more fails, the ship still has some propulsion power. From Alstom Power's perspective there is therefore little sense in producing large gas turbines, when it is medium sized turbines that are required. Nevertheless, if there is perceived to be a demand from marine customers for larger gas turbines, Alstom Power would seek certification from a classification society to enable them to supply such a turbine.
The company received ISO 9002 accreditation in 1992 from Bureau Veritas. The installations of its gas turbines in the two high speed ferries it has supplied since re-entering the marine market were approved by Det Norske Veritas (DNV).
2.2 Technical Co-operation
In the 1970s, as Stal Laval, the company operated a number of licence agreements for the production of its gas and steam turbines, including licences with Mitsubishi and Kawasaki in Japan. Prior to becoming ABB Alstom Power, the company also produced turbines under licence from GEC.
Alstom Power retains an open mind about granting licences in the future and in principle would be prepared to do so.
