Simple Cycle Applications of an Interceded Gas Turbine

摘要

The power industry in the U.S. and many developed countries is seeing a change in asset utilisation due to changing economic conditions and installed capacity mix. The North American energy bubble saw a major rise in both simple cycle peaking and combined-cycle base load gas-fired installations starting in 2000. Reserve margins have increased significantly. In many cases these changes have resulted in lower electricity prices driven by higher plant efficiencies, overcapacity and higher gas fuel prices. Under certain circumstances, the resulting low spark spread has prevented many older, less-efficient power plants from operating. Newer combined-cycle units that were planned for base load operation are now operating in cycling duty, which results in increased operating cost and reduced profit margins. However, there are pockets of opportunity for new unit installations due to transmission constraints.