GE Vernova (GEV)’s 7HA and 9HA gas turbines represent a significant portion of the advanced-class turbine fleet in operation globally, supporting diverse power generation requirements including high efficiency, flexible operation, and integration with renewable energy sources. As operational demands evolve, ongoing technical understanding and knowledge sharing among users become increasingly valuable.
The 2025 HA Users Group Annual Conference, scheduled for August 4–8 at the Hyatt Regency in Greenville, South Carolina, offers users an opportunity to review operational experiences, discuss technical issues, and explore practical solutions through structured sessions, user-driven presentations, and direct interactions with OEM representatives and vendors.
User sessions will address inspection outcomes, operational challenges, and maintenance strategies. On the first day, representatives from Constellation, EDF, GS Power, and Sharjah Hamriyah O&M will share detailed insights from recent major inspections and associated operational challenges, including combustion tuning, outage scheduling, return to service, and lessons learned from unplanned maintenance events.
Sprinkled in are vendor presentations highly valued by the steering committee. One notable presentation will be delivered by ARNOLD Group’s Pierre Ansmann, who will discuss insulation strategies and material performance in HA-class environments. Entrust Solutions will deliver two presentations: one on executing a successful HA outage, and another on the evolution of HA combustion systems, tracing developments from the 9HA.01 through to the 7HA.03. HRST will offer insight into H-class industry HRSG inspection trends. IGS will cover the application of HVTS™ technology for component life extension and corrosion protection in high-temperature environments.
The second day includes presentations from Strategic Power Systems covering reliability and availability data across the HA fleet. End users from Competitive Power Ventures and GS Power will also discuss specific rotor overhaul experiences. Additionally, Cutsforth and Environex will present on generator condition monitoring and SCR performance considerations.
The vendor fair scheduled for Tuesday evening will host numerous suppliers specializing in component improvements, coatings, filtration systems, emissions monitoring, and maintenance services. Visit the following CCJ partners at the exhibition: AGT Services, ARNOLD Group, Camfil Power Systems, Cutsforth, Donaldson, EnergyLink International, Environex, Filter-Doc Corporation, Gulf Turbine Services, HRST, K Machine, Mee Industries, National Electric Coil, Rochem Fyrewash, Strategic Power Systems, Taylor’s Industrial Coatings, Umicore.
Wednesday’s sessions will primarily focus on GEV’s updates and technical briefings on key turbine components. Topics covered include compressor blade issues, rotor performance improvements, fuel nozzle corrosion, thermal barrier coatings, and hardware redesigns. The day will begin with a services outlook presented by Eric Gray, CEO of Gas Power, providing context for the sessions that follow. Steve McHugh, 7HA product line manager, will present to-the-minute updates on product line direction and recent technical developments. GEV representatives will also facilitate discussions about implementation strategies, part quality improvements, and outage planning.
Thursday sessions will highlight diagnostics, control systems, generator maintenance, and rotor technologies. Presentations will explore controls performance, vibration management, and heat exchanger technologies, as well as detailed discussions on generator wedge maintenance and rotor component reliability. GEV’s senior leadership–featuring John Intile, Amit Kulkarni, and Meraj Anas–will host a Q&A session later in the day, addressing strategic and operational questions raised by users.
The conference concludes on Friday with optional tours of the OEM’s Gas Turbine Technology Center (GTTC) in Greenville, providing attendees an opportunity to view manufacturing and technology testing facilities. An additional customer panel will be available by invitation, discussing longer-term operational and service strategies.
Additional details, registration, and a complete agenda are available at www.powerusers.org.
