Enhancing the Economic Competitiveness of Concentrating Solar Power Plants Through an Innovative Integrated Solar-Combined Cycle With Thermal Energy Storage

2015 ◽  
Vol 137 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Guédez ◽  
James Spelling ◽  
Björn Laumert
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Novel Concept

The present work deals with the thermo-economic analysis of an innovative combined power cycle consisting of a molten-salt solar tower power plant with storage supported by additional heat provided from the exhaust of a topping gas-turbine unit. A detailed dynamic model has been elaborated using an in house simulation tool that simultaneously encompasses meteorological, demand and price data. A wide range of possible designs are evaluated in order to show the trade-offs between the objectives of achieving sustainable and economically competitive designs. Results show that optimal designs of the novel concept are a promising cost-effective hybrid option that can successfully fulfill both the roles of a gas peaker plant and a baseload solar power plant in a more effective manner. Moreover, designs are also compared against conventional combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants and it is shown that, under specific peaking operating strategies (P-OSs), the innovative concept cannot only perform better from an environmental standpoint but also economically.

Enhancing the Economic Competitiveness of Concentrating Solar Power Plants Through an Innovative Integrated Solar-Combined Cycle With Thermal Energy Storage

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Guédez ◽  
James Spelling ◽  
Björn Laumert
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Novel Concept

The present work deals with the thermoeconomic analysis of an innovative combined power cycle consisting of a molten-salt solar tower power plant with storage supported by additional heat provided from the exhaust of a topping gas-turbine unit. A detailed dynamic model has been elaborated using an in house simulation tool that simultaneously encompasses meteorological, demand and price data. A wide range of possible designs are evaluated in order to show the trade-offs between the objectives of achieving sustainable and economically competitive designs. Results show that optimal designs of the novel concept are a promising cost-effective hybrid option that can successfully fulfill both the roles of a gas peaker plant and a baseload solar power plant in a more effective manner. Moreover, designs are also compared against conventional combined cycle gas turbine power plants and it is shown that, under specific peaking operating strategies, the innovative concept can not only perform better from an environmental standpoint but also economically.

Air-Based Bottoming-Cycles for Water-Free Hybrid Solar Gas-Turbine Power Plants

2013 ◽  
Vol 135 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphaël Sandoz ◽  
James Spelling ◽  
Björn Laumert ◽  
Torsten Fransson
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Levelized Cost Of Electricity ◽  
Minimum Capital ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Conflicting Objectives ◽  
Novel Concept ◽  
Gas Turbine Power Plant

A thermoeconomic model of a novel hybrid solar gas-turbine power plant with an air-based bottoming cycle has been developed, allowing its thermodynamic, economic, and environmental performance to be analyzed. Multi-objective optimization has been performed to identify the trade-offs between two conflicting objectives: minimum capital cost and minimum specific CO2 emissions. In-depth thermoeconomic analysis reveals that the additional bottoming cycle significantly reduces both the levelized cost of electricity and the environmental impact of the power plant (in terms of CO2 emissions and water consumption) when compared to a simple gas-turbine power plant without bottoming cycle. Overall, the novel concept appears to be a promising solution for sustainable power generation, especially in water-scarce areas.

A Comparative Thermoeconomic Study of Hybrid Solar Gas-Turbine Power Plants

2013 ◽  
Vol 136 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
James Spelling ◽  
Björn Laumert ◽  
Torsten Fransson
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
First Generation ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Parabolic Trough ◽  
Electricity Cost ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Solar Power Plants ◽  
Combined Cycles

The construction of the first generation of commercial hybrid solar gas-turbine power plants will present the designer with a large number of choices. To assist decision making, a thermoeconomic study has been performed for three different power plant configurations, namely, simple- and combined-cycles along with a simple-cycle with the addition of thermal energy storage. Multi-objective optimization has been used to identify Pareto-optimal designs and highlight the trade-offs between minimizing investment costs and minimizing specific CO2 emissions. The solar hybrid combined-cycle power plant provides a 60% reduction in electricity cost compared to parabolic trough power plants at annual solar shares up to 20%. The storage integrated designs can achieve much higher solar shares and provide a 7–13% reduction in electricity costs at annual solar shares up to 90%. At the same time, the water consumption of the solar gas-turbine systems is significantly lower than conventional steam-cycle based solar power plants.

Thermo-Economic Optimization of Hybridization Options for Solar Retrofitting of Combined-Cycle Power Plants

2013 ◽  
Vol 136 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Pihl ◽  
James Spelling ◽  
Filip Johnsson
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Plant Design ◽  
Economic Optimization ◽  
Concentrating Solar Power ◽  
Combined Cycle Power Plant ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Conflicting Objectives

A thermo-economic optimization model of an integrated solar combined-cycle (ISCC) has been developed to evaluate the performance of an existing combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plant when retrofitted with solar trough collectors. The model employs evolutionary algorithms to assess the optimal performance and cost of the power plant. To define the trade-offs required for maximizing gains and minimizing costs (and to identify ‘optimal’ hybridization schemes), two conflicting objectives were considered, namely, minimum required investment and maximum net present value (NPV). Optimization was performed for various feed-in tariff (FIT) regimes, with tariff levels that were either fixed or that varied with electricity pool prices. It was found that for the given combined-cycle power plant design, only small annual solar shares (∼1.2% annual share, 4% of installed capacity) could be achieved by retrofitting. The integrated solar combined-cycle design has optimal thermal storage capacities that are several times smaller than those of the corresponding solar-only design. Even with strong incentives to shift the load to periods in which the prices are higher, investment in storage capacity was not promoted. Nevertheless, the levelized costs of the additional solar-generated electricity are as low as 10 c€/kWh, compared to the 17–19 c€/kWh achieved for a reference, nonhybridized, “solar-only” concentrating solar power plant optimized with the same tools and cost dataset. The main reasons for the lower cost of the integrated solar combined-cycle power plant are improved solar-to-electric efficiency and the lower level of required investment in the steam cycle. The retrofitting of combined-cycle gas turbine plants to integrated solar combined-cycle plants with parabolic troughs represents a viable option to achieve relatively low-cost capacity expansion and strong knowledge building regarding concentrating solar power.

Optimal Gas-Turbine Design for Hybrid Solar Power Plant Operation

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Spelling ◽  
Björn Laumert ◽  
Torsten Fransson
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Inlet Temperature ◽  
Electricity Cost ◽  
Conflicting Objectives ◽  
Dynamic Simulation Model ◽  
A Minor

A dynamic simulation model of a hybrid solar gas-turbine power plant has been developed, allowing determination of its thermodynamic and economic performance. In order to examine optimum gas-turbine designs for hybrid solar power plants, multi-objective thermoeconomic analysis has been performed, with two conflicting objectives: minimum levelized electricity costs and minimum specific CO2 emissions. Optimum cycle conditions: pressure-ratio, receiver temperature, turbine inlet temperature and flow rate, have been identified for a 15 MWe gas-turbine under different degrees of solarization. At moderate solar shares, the hybrid solar gas-turbine concept was shown to provide significant water and CO2 savings with only a minor increase in the levelized electricity cost.

Analysis of Intermediate Temperature Combined Cycles With a Carbon Dioxide Topping Cycle

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Chacartegui ◽  
D. Sa´nchez ◽  
F. Jime´nez-Espadafor ◽  
A. Mun˜oz ◽  
T. Sa´nchez
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Power Plant ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Solar Power ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Inlet Temperature ◽  
Pressure Drops ◽  
Combined Cycles ◽  
Topping Cycle

The development of high efficiency solar power plants based on gas turbine technology presents two problems, both of them directly associated with the solar power plant receiver design and the power plant size: lower turbine intake temperature and higher pressure drops in heat exchangers than in a conventional gas turbine. To partially solve these problems, different configurations of combined cycles composed of a closed cycle carbon dioxide gas turbine as topping cycle have been analyzed. The main advantage of the Brayton carbon dioxide cycle is its high net shaft work to expansion work ratio, in the range of 0.7–0.85 at supercritical compressor intake pressures, which is very close to that of the Rankine cycle. This feature will reduce the negative effects of pressure drops and will be also very interesting for cycles with moderate turbine inlet temperature (800–1000 K). Intercooling and reheat options are also considered. Furthermore, different working fluids have been analyzed for the bottoming cycle, seeking the best performance of the combined cycle in the ranges of temperatures considered.

Thermo-Economic Assessment Under Electrical Market Uncertainties of a Combined Cycle Gas Turbine Integrated With a Flue Gas-Condensing Heat Pump

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Vannoni ◽  
Andrea Giugno ◽  
Alessandro Sorce
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Power Systems ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Heat Pump ◽  
Flue Gas ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emission ◽  
Capital Expenditure ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Gas Turbine Power Plant

Abstract Renewable energy penetration is growing, due to the target of greenhouse-gas-emission reduction, even though fossil fuel-based technologies are still necessary in the current energy market scenario to provide reliable back-up power to stabilize the grid. Nevertheless, currently, an investment in such a kind of power plant might not be profitable enough, since some energy policies have led to a general decrease of both the average price of electricity and its variability; moreover, in several countries negative prices are reached on some sunny or windy days. Within this context, Combined Heat and Power systems appear not just as a fuel-efficient way to fulfill local thermal demand, but also as a sustainable way to maintain installed capacity able to support electricity grid reliability. Innovative solutions to increase both the efficiency and flexibility of those power plants, as well as careful evaluations of the economic context, are essential to ensure the sustainability of the economic investment in a fast-paced changing energy field. This study aims to evaluate the economic viability and environmental impact of an integrated solution of a cogenerative combined cycle gas turbine power plant with a flue gas condensing heat pump. Considering capital expenditure, heat demand, electricity price and its fluctuations during the whole system life, the sustainability of the investment is evaluated taking into account the uncertainties of economic scenarios and benchmarked against the integration of a cogenerative combined cycle gas turbine power plant with a Heat-Only Boiler.

The Elephant in the Room–Gas Turbine Power

2010 ◽  
Vol 132 (12) ◽  
pp. 57-57
Author(s):  
Lee S. Langston
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Electric Power ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Electric Power Industry ◽  
Hydrocarbon Fuel ◽  
Combined Cycle ◽  
Electrical Generator ◽  
Gas Turbine Exhaust

This article presents an overview of gas turbine combined cycle (CCGT) power plants. Modern CCGT power plants are producing electric power as high as half a gigawatt with thermal efficiencies approaching the 60% mark. In a CCGT power plant, the gas turbine is the key player, driving an electrical generator. Heat from the hot gas turbine exhaust is recovered in a heat recovery steam generator, to generate steam, which drives a steam turbine to generate more electrical power. Thus, it is a combined power plant burning one unit of fuel to supply two sources of electrical power. Most of these CCGT plants burn natural gas, which has the lowest carbon content of any other hydrocarbon fuel. Their near 60% thermal efficiencies lower fuel costs by almost half compared to other gas-fired power plants. Their installed capital cost is the lowest in the electric power industry. Moreover, environmental permits, necessary for new plant construction, are much easier to obtain for CCGT power plants.

Dual Brayton Cycle Gas Turbine Pressurized Fluidized Bed Combustion Power Plant Concept

1997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xing L. Yan ◽  
Lawrence M. Lidsky
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Brayton Cycle ◽  
Plant Design ◽  
Fluidized Bed Combustion ◽  
Electric Power Plants ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Pressurized Fluidized Bed Combustion

High generating efficiency has compelling economic and environmental benefits for electric power plants. There are particular incentives to develop more efficient and cleaner coal-fired power plants, to permit use of the world’s most abundant and secure energy source. This paper presents a newly-conceived power plant design, the Dual Brayton Cycle Gas Turbine PFBC, that yields 45% net generating efficiency and fires on a wide range of fuels with minimum pollution, of which coal is a particularly intriguing target for its first application. The DBC-GT design allows power plants based on the state-of-the-art PFBC technology to achieve substantially higher generating efficiencies while simultaneously providing modern gas turbine and related heat exchanger technologies access to the large coal power generation market.

Dual Brayton Cycle Gas Turbine Pressurized Fluidized Bed Combustion Power Plant Concept

1998 ◽  
Vol 120 (3) ◽  
pp. 566-572 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. L. Yan ◽  
L. M. Lidsky
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Brayton Cycle ◽  
Plant Design ◽  
Fluidized Bed Combustion ◽  
Electric Power Plants ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Pressurized Fluidized Bed Combustion

High generating efficiency has compelling economic and environmental benefits for electric power plants. There are particular incentives to develop more efficient and cleaner coal-fired power plants in order to permit use of the world’s most abundant and secure energy source. This paper presents a newly conceived power plant design, the Dual Brayton Cycle Gas Turbine PFBC, that yields 45 percent net generating efficiency and fires on a wide range of fuels with minimum pollution, of which coal is a particularly intriguing target for its first application. The DBC-GT design allows power plants based on the state-of-the-art PFBC technology to achieve substantially higher generating efficiencies, while simultaneously providing modern gas turbine and related heat exchanger technologies access to the large coal power generation market.

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