In June 2025 Giuseppe Tilocca, ETN Global’s Technical Lead, spoke to Turbomachinery International magazine about how turbomachinery is navigating the current political and market situation, what is the future direction for the industry and how ETN Global is assisting its members to overcome some of the challenges.  

The interview was captured in an article by Alissa Espinoza, titled “ETN Global Sheds Light on Gas Turbines, Supply Chain, Skill Gap Challenges, and Modular Power”.

Tilocca highlights the following in the interview:

1. Impact of market dynamics

• Demand for gas turbines is high as operators seek dispatchable power to support grid stability.
• Volatile fuel prices and unstable capacity factors are undermining investment confidence, slowing development of new low‑carbon projects. Long-term capital commitments depend on consistent pricing and policy frameworks.

2. Supply‑chain and cost pressures

• OEMs face long backlogs and extended lead times.
• In response, the industry is embracing digitalisation (predictive maintenance), life‑extension programmes and tighter collaboration across operators, manufacturers and service providers. In this context, ETN Global’s collaborative network composed of members across the entire value chain of turbomachinery facilitates knowledge and information exchange via Technical Working Groups, such as Digital Solutions Working Group, Life Assessment and Extension Working Group, Additive Manufacturing Working Groups, and Engine Specific User Groups.

3. Rise of modular and small‑scale turbines

• There’s growing interest in compact and mobile turbines, especially micro-gas turbines for fast start‑up, flexibility, lower capital expenditure, and off‑grid deployment.
• To support this growing interest, ETN Global will co‑host 5^th European Micro Gas Turbines Forum in Brussels (15–16 October 2025) following its 12^th International Gas Turbine Conference (14-15 October 2025).

4. Decarbonisation efforts in the US

• Operators are pragmatically exploring hydrogen-ready turbines, biofuels, and carbon capture systems. Cost and fuel pricing will determine whether gas remains competitive versus electrification or renewables.

5. Efficiency and heat-recovery improvements

• Efforts focus on better air filtration, development of H‑class turbines, and heat-recovery solutions (steam cycles, sCO₂, high‑temperature heat pumps, and CHP systems).
• In this context, ETN Global’s Technical Working Groups, such as Air Filtration Working Group and Supercritical CO₂ Working Group are busy assisting the industry through various activities, such as the development of ISO 29461-4: Air intake filter systems for rotary machinery; Part 4: Test methods for static filter systems in coastal and offshore environments.

6. Tackling skill shortages

• The sector faces an ageing and diminishing workforce, with declining interest in turbine-specific roles.
• ETN Global, and its Young Engineers Committee, in particular, is addressing this through a set of activities, trying to showcase the industry as an attractive workplace for new generation of engineering students. The Committee organises student outreach events at major conferences, awards programmes, and thesis collaboration activities, among others.

ETN Global continues to play a key role in supporting its members to tackle aforementioned challenges head-on through collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing to build a more resilient and sustainable future for the energy & turbomachinery sector.

Please find the full article here.