USE OF GAS TURBINES FOR COMBINED ENERGY PRODUCTION

Abstract

Abstract. Aim. Despite the obvious expediency of their widespread implementation, gas turbine (GT) and combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plants were only used in limited quantities in the former USSR and CIS countries. Due to the exhaustion of possibilities to increase the fuel use efficiency and return on investment (ROI) in steam-turbine combined heat and power (CHP) plants, the development of GT and CCGT plants becomes an urgent problem. In current global practice, the primary fuel for gas turbines and combined cycle gas turbines is natural gas. However, until recently, there has been a lack of experience in the design, construction and operation of GT and CCGT plants in the CIS countries. Method. Due to the ad hoc nature of research in this area, it was necessary to systematise the results of existing studies and assess the state of research at the world level taking regional characteristics into account. Results. The article presents the main considerations and potential effectiveness of the use of gas turbines. Basic gas turbine construction schemes are investigated along with their techno-economic characteristics and an assessment of their comparative utility. Conclusion. Considering the widespread availability of natural gas, it is recommended that gas turbine and combined-cycle plants be installed as part of the process of technical re-equipment in the fuel and energy complex, industry, agriculture and municipal energy sectors as part of the design and construction of new energy sources in the light of positive world experience and the current level of development of gas turbine technologies. Ubiquitous implementation of gas turbine units in the centres supplying heat and electric loads will reduce the regional economy’s need for energy fuel and ensure an increase in energy capacity without the need to construct new complex and uneconomic steam turbine power plants.