NEWTOWN, Conn. -- With both the GT26 and GT36 industrial gas turbines now integrated into the Ansaldo Energia product range to supplement the older AE94 and AE64 machines acquired from Siemens, the company has a viable gas turbine portfolio. The company is also moving to address requirements for reduced emissions and more efficient use of resources by the adoption of hydrogen-enriched natural gas as feedstock. Industry reports suggest that the Italian government wishes to establish Ansaldo Energia as a viable player in the industrial gas turbine market. Assuming this is correct, then a good start has been made toward fulfilling this plan.
The problem that Ansaldo is likely to face going forward is that the GT26 is not a recent or advanced design. After all, a company does not sell a product to a potential rival if that product has a major future in its present form. It is likely that Ansaldo will have to undertake a major modernization effort to increase efficiency and reduce emissions beyond that achieved by its hydrogen injection technology if it is to compete with machines like the MHPS 501JAC or the new H series turbines from GE. The key questions here are, just what in the way of resources is Ansaldo prepared to put into the GT26 and how will effort this be affected by development of the GT36?
Assuming that some judicious engineering research brings the GT26 into line with the latest technical standards, Ansaldo will exploit this to develop a significant, although not overwhelming, place in the power generation market. More specifically, Ansaldo will likely be able to leverage its position in the steam turbine market to make a viable penetration into the combined-cycle power generation sector. Our forecast shows Ansaldo exploiting its new GT26 line primarily as a combined-cycle option with its steam turbines to achieve a healthy production rate. Hovering in the background is the GT36 gas turbine, rights to which have also been acquired by Ansaldo. Assuming the ambitions of the Italian government remain unchanged, it is quite likely that discreet political support will boost Ansaldo Energia's sales in Italy at the expense of its competitors.
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