The Turbogenerator - A Continuous Engineering Challenge

Since the 1901 invention of the cylindrical rotor for a high-speed generator, the turbogenerator has been used for converting the steam turbine and gas turbine power into electrical power. Today a wide array of turbogenerators between 50 MVA and 1300 MVA in full-speed (two-pole) design is available. The nuclear power plant business is covered by half- speed (4-pole) designs with a range up to 2000 MVA. Today, the main drivers for design uprates are cooling design and insulation technology. The design development is supported by FEM and CFD, which in future will get linked with mechanical design tools. The future is characterized by new needs regarding power, efficiency and stability, and the commercial availability of emerging material technologies.