Combined Cycle Power Plants of Future

摘要

The natural gas turbine's 35% efficiency did not limit it from being a dependable machine of choice for dispatchers including for base loads. A combined cycle has enhanced the plant efficiency to nearly 60% . Efforts are taking place worldwide to augment the combined cycles for further gains in efficiency and capacity factor. Concentrated solar power (CSP) augmentation is reviewed in this paper due to a stronger correlation with demand profile and commercial experiences. Projects have used high temperature fuel cells (FCCC) for similar results. The levelized-cost of solar thermal or fuel cell energy is traditionally more than double the cost of power from new nuclear, gas or onshore wind plants. With stagnant power demand, aging infrastructure, and already established renewable mandates US utility companies are adapting to newer business models. The augmented (incremental Rankine cycle) efficiency exceeds a stand-alone solar power plant and gaining pace with advancement in technology, thermal storage, coal retirements, carbon and fracking regulations.