Flexible Distributed Power Generation using the Industrial Trent Gas Turbine

摘要

As the penetration of power generation onto the electricity networks from intermittent renewable sources such as solar and wind increases, power generators and network operators are being forced to reconsider the design of power plant. Instead of large, centralised power plant operating at base load, today’s market requires flexibility of operation and fast responses to support these intermittent generation sources. In addition, as we move into a more carbon-constrained World, there is increasing pressure to switch from coal and liquid fuels to natural gas as the primary fuel for power generation, bringing increasing opportunities for gas turbines. Traditionally gas turbine power plants have focussed on combined cycle (CCGT) configurations to maximise full-load efficiencies using large ‘Heavy Duty’ gas turbines, typically in a 1+1 or 2+1 configuration. However, these configurations are relatively slow to react to changes in grid power demand, have reduced efficiencies at part-load and increased operational costs due to the load cycling and frequent starts. The large size of the turbines also leads to long plant construction times and maintenance downtimes. This paper examines the use of flexible power plant, both open cycle and combined cycle, based around the Industrial Trent gas turbine for base load, intermittent and peaking applications. As an aero-derivative gas turbine, the Industrial Trent is ideal for power plant where frequent starts and stops are required, and offers higher availability than a traditional combined cycle plant due to the core swap capability. The paper looks at various different combined cycle plant concepts to maximise operational flexibility to meet the demands of Grid Operators, including an Organic Rankine Cycle option for a water-free solution, and examines the economic and environmental benefits for some operational modes compared to a conventional combined cycle plant or flexible power solutions based on alternate technologies.