Method and system to increase gas turbine engine durability

A method of operating a gas turbine engine, said method comprising:

• operating the gas turbine engine at a first condition to generate a first power output;
• comparing a firing temperature to a threshold value and determining a difference value therefrom;
• determining that the difference value exceeds the threshold value;
• and
• derating the first power output of the gas turbine engine to a second power output, wherein the gas turbine engine is operated at a second condition such that the firing temperature is substantially equal to the threshold value when the difference value exceeds the threshold value.

A system for operating a gas turbine engine, said system comprising:

• a gas turbine engine comprising a first stage turbine nozzle assembly;
• and
• a controller configured to control operation of said gas turbine engine, said controller comprising a processor programmed to:
• adjust said first stage turbine nozzle assembly to a first position;
• compare a firing temperature to a threshold value and determine a difference value therefrom;
• determine that the difference value exceeds the threshold value;
• and
• adjust said first stage turbine nozzle assembly to a second position such that the firing temperature is substantially equal to the threshold value when the difference value exceeds the threshold value.