OREANDA-NEWS. September 27, 2012. Toshiba Corporation (Tokyo: 6502) today announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with GE to explore sales opportunities collectively of a new combined cycle system that integrates GE's advanced 7F 7-series Gas Turbines, GE's newly developed and most advanced 60Hz gas turbine, with Toshiba's high efficiency steam turbines and generators. Toshiba has won a contract to supply the new system to Chubu Electric Power's Nishi Nagoya Thermal Power Plant in Japan.

Toshiba and GE have cooperated in gas turbines since 1982, including collaboration since last September of an advanced 50Hz combined cycle system integrating GE's 9FB gas turbines sales in Japan and other key Asian markets. Building on this, the companies have now agreed to explore project collaborations for sales of an advanced 60Hz combined cycle system integrating GE's advanced 7F 7-series gas turbine.

Combined cycle systems typically combine gas and steam turbines to generate electricity. First stage generation in the gas turbine produces exhaust steam that drives the second stage turbines and generates more electricity. Combined cycle systems are more efficient and release less CO2 into the environment than conventional thermal power systems.

Going forward, Toshiba will expand its thermal power business by offering high efficiency combined cycle systems in collaboration with GE.