Artificial intelligence, gas turbines and poems, oh my!

We asked Jeff Schleis, our gas turbine product manager, to answer this question.

His response?

“No – not today.”

But he did agree to have a bit of fun quizzing OpenAI’s ChatGTP AI tool which has been trending online of late.

The model is trained to interact with almost any question (or prompt) in a conversational way and provide detailed responses. Think of it as a very advanced voice assist on your smartphone or smart speaker.

We decided to put it to the test with some questions about gas turbines and the energy industry – something we have just a bit of experience with!

The results?

Take a look below at the questions we asked, with ChatGPT’s responses. Each response was given in a mere matter of seconds!

After each question, Jeff weighs in on the accuracy of answers and score them on a scale of 1-10.

Q: How do you maintain a heavy industrial gas turbine?

ChatGTP Answer: "Maintaining a heavy industrial gas turbine involves regularly performing inspections and maintenance on the various components of the turbine. This can include checking and replacing filters, lubricating moving parts, and inspecting the turbine blades for damage. It is also important to regularly monitor the turbine’s performance and make adjustments as necessary to ensure it is operating at peak efficiency. Additionally, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and to keep accurate records of all maintenance activities."

Watch the interaction in real-time

Jeff’s Score: 7/10. Not bad, only a few odd inclusions like “lubricating” that should be handled by auxiliary systems and it is a bit short. Maybe it is a trick not unlike fortune telling, but I’m impressed it came up with checking blade damage which could be interpreted as a borescope and keeping good records which is a real struggle. Still, considering the risk associated with failure and the complexity, I’d recommend consulting your manual and a very experienced service provider!

Q: Is net zero 2050 possible?

ChatGTP Answer: "It is difficult to say with certainty whether or not achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 is possible. Achieving net zero emissions would require significant efforts to transition away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources, as well as significant investments in carbon capture and storage technology. It would also require a major shift in the way that energy is produced, distributed, and consumed."

Jeff’s Score: 8/10. I have been on record that we cannot eliminate gas turbines in the next few decades, so this response is very validating. The crystal ball glowed for me again as it described the heavy challenge in energy distribution and consumption. My only negative is the response seems very contained to western culture and didn’t consider a global answer.

Q: How do you evaluate an independent maintenance contractor for gas turbines?

ChatGTP Answer: "There are several factors to consider when evaluating an independent maintenance contractor for gas turbines. Some of the key things to look for include:

1. Experience: Look for a contractor with a track record of successful maintenance and repair work on gas turbines. Ask for references and case studies to learn about their experience and expertise.
2. Training and certification: Gas turbine maintenance requires specialized knowledge and skills. Look for a contractor that has certified technicians on staff who are trained and qualified to work on gas turbines.
3. Safety record: Safety is a critical consideration when working with gas turbines. Look for a contractor with a strong safety record and ask about their safety policies and procedures.
4. Services and capabilities: Be sure to choose a contractor that can provide the specific services you need, such as inspections, repairs, or upgrades.
5. Price and value: Cost is always a factor, but it should not be the only consideration. Look for a contractor that offers competitive pricing and value for money.
6. Reputation and customer service: Look for a contractor with a good reputation in the industry and among their customers. Ask for references and check online reviews to get a sense of their customer service.

Overall, the best way to evaluate an independent maintenance contractor for gas turbines is to do your research, ask the right questions, and carefully consider all of the factors listed above."

Watch the interaction in real-time 

Jeff’s Score: 9/10. At this point I was starting to wonder what form of witchcraft was in the ChatGPT box.  Since the question was very general, a six-point response was definitely not expected.  All of the points are valid and I’m sure most of our customers would feel the same.

Q: Can you write a poem about gas turbines?

ChatGTP Answer: "Sure, here's a short poem about gas turbines:

Turbines spinning round 

Fuel burning hot 

Generating power 

Never gonna stop 

From natural gas to propane 

These machines never wane 

Efficient and reliable 

A crucial part of our lives. 

They keep our homes warm 

And the lights on at night 

We rely on them 

For our daily delight 

So let's appreciate 

The gas turbine's might 

A marvel of engineering 

That helps us live right."

Watch the interaction in real-time 

Jeff’s Score: 10/10. Propane is a bit of a stretch, but color me impressed with only seconds to create this.  Rhyming “gas turbine” with anything presents me with a challenge. We will stop here before ChatGPT turns me into a newt...

Jeff Schleis is an experienced product manager with a career founded in turbine controls. Following a start as an engineer in the nuclear power industry, he has spent 25 years managing products for OEMs and independent suppliers including Woodward, GE, Siemens-Westinghouse, and currently EthosEnergy. Jeff has been with EthosEnergy since the inception of the turbine control group in 2002.