Advanced Gas Turbine Technology: ABB/BCC Historical Firsts

During more than 100 years engineers of the Swiss development center of A.-G. BBC Brown, Boveri & Cie., from 1988 onwards ABB Asea Brown Boveri Ltd., in 1999 ABB ALSTOM POWER Ltd., and now ALSTOM Power Ltd. in Baden, Switzerland, have significantly contributed to the achievement of today's advanced gas turbine concept. Numerous firsts are highlighted in this paper-ranging from the first realization of the industrial, heavy-duty gas turbine in the 1930s to today's high-technology gas turbine (GT) products, combining excellent performance, extraordinary low environmental impact with commercial attractiveness for global power generation. Interesting connections could be unveiled for the early parallel development of industrial and areo gas turbines.