Power Plant Technology Research Articles

Review on the Application of Living PSA in Nuclear Power

With the increasing standards of safety management in nuclear power plants, Living Probabilistic Safety Assessment (Living PSA) technology has begin to play an increasingly important role in their operation. This paper aims to provide an overview of the application and development of Living Probabilistic Safety Assessment (Living PSA) technology in nuclear power plant safety monitoring and risk assessment, examining the key technologies and future challenges. Initially, we summarize the current safety needs in regard to nuclear power, examine the policy on configuration risk management technology for nuclear power plants, and outline its importance and development process in nuclear power plant safety management. Subsequently, we discuss the basic principle of Living PSAs and the working method of risk monitoring based on Living PSAs, including information monitoring data collection, online identification, real-time model updating, and risk calculation. Within the Living PSA framework, model development is not merely about creating a theoretical or static representation; it is a dynamic and ongoing process that involves a deep understanding and precise simulation of the behavior of nuclear power plant systems and components. This represents the main research efforts in Living PSAs at present. Additionally, this paper identifies the key technologies of Living PSAs in an in-depth manner, such as the reliability-model-updating technology and model building in dynamic reliability analyses, including the fault tree model, multi-layer flow model, GO-FLOW model etc. The paper lists the work of some scholars in this area in recent years, which helps readers and researchers to clearly understand the current progress of Living PSA technologies in terms of model establishment and updating. Finally, the paper summarizes the challenges and future development of Living PSA and emphasizes the possible problems in data quality, human factor engineering, and the development of Living PSA technologies in the future. In the future, Living PSAs will provide more solid support for the realization of safer and more economical methods of operating nuclear power plants.

Techno-Economic Feasibility Analysis of Post-Combustion Carbon Capture in an NGCC Power Plant in Uzbekistan

As natural gas-fired combined cycle (NGCC) power plants continue to constitute a crucial part of the global energy landscape, their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions pose a significant challenge to climate goals. This paper evaluates the feasibility of implementing post-combustion carbon capture, storage, and utilization (CCSU) technologies in NGCC power plants for end-of-pipe decarbonization in Uzbekistan. This study simulates and models a 450 MW NGCC power plant block, a first-generation, technically proven solvent—MEA-based CO2 absorption plant—and CO2 compression and pipeline transportation to nearby oil reservoirs to evaluate the technical, economic, and environmental aspects of CCSU integration. Parametric sensitivity analysis is employed to minimize energy consumption in the regeneration process. The economic analysis evaluates the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) on the basis of capital expenses (CAPEX) and operational expenses (OPEX). The results indicate that CCSU integration can significantly reduce CO2 emissions by more than 1.05 million tonnes annually at a 90% capture rate, although it impacts plant efficiency, which decreases from 55.8% to 46.8% because of the significant amount of low-pressure steam extraction for solvent regeneration at 3.97 GJ/tonne CO2 and multi-stage CO2 compression for pipeline transportation and subsequent storage. Moreover, the CO2 capture, compression, and transportation costs are almost 61 USD per tonne, with an equivalent LCOE increase of approximately 45% from the base case. This paper concludes that while CCSU integration offers a promising path for the decarbonization of NGCC plants in Uzbekistan in the near- and mid-term, its implementation requires massive investments due to the large scale of these plants.

Experimental investigation of combustion characteristics of ammonia with sub-bituminous coal in a pilot circulating fluidized bed combustor

Recent research on power plant technology has focused on employing ammonia as a supplementary fuel with coal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants. However, most of this research has concentrated on pulverized coal systems, with fewer studies on circulating fluidized bed (CFB) combustion systems. Additionally, no research has analyzed combustion and environmental impacts under varying operational conditions with a fixed ammonia co-firing ratio. This study advances the development of coal–ammonia co-firing technology for use in CFB power plants by conducting experiments on a 50 kWth CFB combustion test rig. The co-firing characteristics were evaluated by progressively increasing the ammonia co-combustion rate to 20%, calculated on a high calorific value basis relative to sole coal combustion. Furthermore, this research explored the variations in operational conditions during 20% ammonia co-firing to assess their effects on the temperature distribution within the combustor and the composition of the exhaust gases. The findings elucidate the combustion efficiency, thermal behavior, and emission profiles associated with coal–ammonia co-firing, thereby guiding the optimization of operational strategies to minimize the carbon footprint of CFB power plants.

Pathway for a fully renewable power sector of Africa by 2050: Emphasising on flexible generation from biomass

The climate crisis coupled with energy poverty and injustice in Africa requires strategic measures to proffer sustainable solutions. A transition to a defossilised power sector is obtained for Africa by 2050, evolutionarily developed to fulfil the Paris Agreement. With the LUT Energy System Transition Model, the role of biomass in a least-cost power sector for Africa is investigated from 2020 to 2050 in five-year time steps. Techno-economic assumptions of employed technologies are applied. The study considers the current generation portfolio, lifespan of power plant technologies, and the current and future electricity demand to ascertain the best generation mix by 2050. Biomass potential of 334 TWh (17.5%) of the total African biomass potential of 1911 TWh is applied to the African power sector to develop two Best Policy Scenarios: a scenario without bioenergy (BPS-1) and a scenario with bioenergy (BPS-2). The results indicate a positive impact of bioenergy on the power sector: The total generation, total installed capacity, grid utilisation, levelised cost of electricity, and storage output decreased by 8.6%, 8.4%, 12.9%, 10.2%, 47.1% by 2050 respectively in BPS-2 relative to the BPS-1. In addition, flexible generation from biomass offers balancing to enhance variable renewable energy resources integration onto the power sector.

Integrated Benefits of Synergistically Reducing Air Pollutants and Carbon Dioxide in China.

China's advancements in addressing air pollution and reducing CO2 emissions offer valuable lessons for collaborative strategies to achieve diverse environmental objectives. Previous studies have assessed the mutual benefits of climate policies and air pollution control measures on one another, lacking an integrated assessment of the benefits of synergistic control attributed to refined measures. Here, we comprehensively used coupled emission inventory and response models to evaluate the integrated benefits and synergy degrees of various measures in reducing air pollutants and CO2 in China during 2013-2021. Results indicated that the implemented measures yielded integrated benefits value at 6.7 (2.4-12.6) trillion Chinese Yuan. The top five contributors, accounting for 55%, included promoting non-thermal power, implementing end-of-pipe control technologies in power plants and iron and steel industry, replacing residential scattered coal, and saving building energy. Measures demonstrating high synergies and integrated benefits per unit of reduction (e.g., green traffic promotion) yielded low benefits mainly due to their low application, which are expected to gain greater implementation and prioritization in the future. Our findings provide insights into the effectiveness and limitations of strategies aimed at joint control. By ranking these measures based on their benefits and synergy, we offer valuable guidance for policy development in China and other nations with similar needs.

Multi-time scales prediction of aggregated schedulable capacity of electric vehicle fleets based on enhanced Prophet-LGBM algorithm

The fast-increasing applications of renewable energy and electric vehicles (EVs) pose significant challenges to the safe and economic operation of the power grid. However, through Virtual Power Plant (VPP) technology, EV fleets can be aggregated into large-scale EV generalized energy storage systems, providing scarce dispatchable flexible resources for the future power system. Rapid and accurate prediction of the Aggregated Schedulable Capacity of EV (EVASC) fleets is a crucial technology for VPP with Electric Vehicles (EV-VPP) to participate in various ancillary services of the power system. In this paper, orienting for various dispatch scenarios in the power system, a multi-time scale prediction model of the EVASC for EV-VPPs is presented based on the enhanced Prophet algorithm combining a light gradient boosting machine (LGBM) algorithm. The enhanced Prophet-LGBM algorithm is initially proposed here by incorporating the LGBM algorithm into the traditional Prophet algorithm in series and adding extra sequential features in its input, such as temperature, weather, and alike. In this way, the problem of overfitting and low capability in addressing additional input features in the traditional Prophet is overcome. The proposed enhanced Prophet-LGBM-based prediction method of the EVASC for EV-VPPs is validated using 1.8 million actual charging records of over 4000 charging piles for half a year at the provincial level. The 30-day simulation results of the day ahead and intraday predictions of the EVASC for EV-VPPs show that much higher performances in the prediction accuracy can be achieved, specifically in holidays.

Evaluasi Dampak Pembangunan Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Sampah Benowo Oleh Kolaborasi Pemerintah - Swasta dalam Lingkungan Masyarakat Kelurahan Sumberrejo Kecamatan Pakal Kota Surabaya

The impact of a policy can occur outside the wishes of the policy formulator or commonly called unexpected impacts. PLTSA Benowo is the result of collaboration between the Surabaya City Government and PT Sumber Organik and is equipped with gasification power plant technology which is regulated in PERPRES No. 35 of 2018. This PLTSA policy is a form of handling the national waste problem, such as eliminating waste and providing socio-economic benefits in the vicinity. The purpose of this study was to analyze and describe how the evaluation of the impact that occurred from the PLTSA development policy on the community of Sumberrejo Village, Pakal District, Surabaya City. The research method in this study uses descriptive qualitative methods, for data collection through observation, documentation, and observation. The results of this study show 3 indicators including Individual Impact shows the positive impact of PLTSa for the Community economically, while the negative impact shows that it is not disturbed from the remaining emissions from the waste combustion process released by PLTSa Benowo. Community Impact The positive impact shows that it affects the increase in the economy of the wider community of Sumberrejo Village, while the negative impact is that the community feels an increase in air pollution that disturbs the comfort of the community due to air pollution from PLTSa Benowo. Social System Impact The positive impact shows a change in the social system in the community because there is an increase in economic structure and a reduction in unemployment, while the negative impact shows there is an indication of social inequality such as feelings of envy from people who do not get economic benefits from PLTSa to people who get economic benefits from PLTSa Benowo.

The Current Status and Future Prospects of Carbon Capture, Carbon Transportation, And Carbon Utilization Technologies in Chinese Coal-Fired Power Plants Within the Context of Dual Carbon Goals

Carbon dioxide capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) constitute vital measures for achieving net emissions reduction in China. Against the backdrop of the “dual carbon” initiative in China, this paper meticulously examines and analyzes the key technological principles, merits and demerits, and bottlenecks associated with CCUS carbon capture in the country’s thermal power plants at the current stage. It combines the prevailing industrial application status and the future development trajectory of pertinent technologies with considerations of industrial economic benefits and business models. Building upon this analysis, the paper summarizes the application status of CCUS technology in China’s thermal power plant industry and presents future prospects. On the technological front, the three capture methods grapple with the challenge of high costs. Therefore, there is a need to intensify efforts in developing low-cost and efficient carbon capture materials, as well as researching and practically applying low-cost oxygen generation technology. Economically, CCUS technology currently faces high costs, low returns, and certain commercial barriers, placing China in a demonstrative business model stage. To overcome these challenges and realize the economic benefits of CCUS technology, government incentives and technological innovation are imperative. These measures aim to reduce the overall cost of CCUS technology, stimulate the scale development, and foster commercialization, ultimately contributing to the achievement of China’s carbon emission reduction targets.

A comparative prospective life cycle assessment of coal-fired power plants in the US with MEA/MOF-based carbon capture

The adoption of carbon capture technology in coal-fired power plants is expected to play a pivotal role in the energy transition. This study conducted consequential life cycle assessments (CLCAs) of coal-fired power generation in the United States using policy-level accounting. Monoethanolamine (MEA)-based and Mg-MOF-74-based carbon capture have been introduced, with a comparative analysis conducted on the emissions reduction potential of these two materials through their respective mechanisms of absorption and adsorption. The results indicate that carbon capture based on MEA or Mg-MOF-74 can significantly reduce emissions from coal-fired power generation, decreasing from 779.5 Mt CO2e to 50.1 Mt CO2e and 61.1 Mt CO2e in 2050, respectively. The introduction of ultra-supercritical power plants and carbon capture reduced direct emissions from 92% to 51%. MEA outperforms Mg-MOF-74 slightly, with lower emissions due to solvents and cleaning processes. Deviations in Mg-MOF-74's adsorption capacity and degradation rate could lead to 4%–6% model outcome variations. It is also concluded that the stability of MEA's marginal emissions depends on a steady expansion of existing production capacity, while the marginal emissions of Mg-MOF-74 are anticipated to remain unchanged. This study emphasizes carbon capture's potential but stresses the need for prompt implementation and comprehensive assessments before deployment decisions.

Exploring Thermal Barrier and Sedimentation Simulation for Enhanced Performance in Grati Combined Cycle Power Plant

PLTGU is a power generation facility that concurrently utilizes both steam and gas power plant technologies. It necessitates a cooling system to operate efficiently throughout its entire lifespan. If PLTGU Grati plans to increase its power capacity, there is a concern that the water discharged from the Water Outlet channel might not cool down sufficiently before re-entering the Water Intake channel. Additionally, sedimentation in the sea water uptake is causing siltation. Hence, this study focuses on the jetty extension project to address sedimentation and hot water spreading issues in PLTGU Grati. The numerical modeling analysis, conducted using the Delft3D software, indicates that in the case of power addition, Alternative Model 1 can reduce the highest temperature compared to the existing condition by 0.655°C. Similarly, Alternative Model 2 reduces the highest temperature by 0.090°C. Moreover, with power addition, sedimentation rate in Area 1 increases by 261.43 m3/month in Alternative Model 1, while in Alternative Model 2, it decreases by 969.47 m3/month compared to the existing condition. Considering the ability of Alternative Model 2 to effectively reduce the temperature in the inlet canals by 0.090°C, it provides the best solution to contain the spread of hot water in the PLTGU Grati area. Currently, PLTGU Grati employs a Cutter Suction Dredger (CSD) to periodically dredge the water inlet channel. Therefore, Alternative Model 2 is recommended as the optimal choice among the alternatives. Henceforth, detailed studies related to current patterns and sedimentation rates are presented comprehensively in this paper.

Multi-objective two-stage optimization scheduling algorithm for virtual power plants considering low carbon

Abstract With the continuous growth of energy demand, the importance of developing and utilizing low-carbon energy is becoming increasingly prominent. In this context, virtual power plant technology has been proposed. It is a technology for integrating, coordinating and optimizing distributed energy resources, which has significant effects in improving energy utilization efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. This article proposed a virtual power plant scheduling method based on multi-objective two-stage optimization scheduling algorithm considering low carbon. This method first determines the production and consumption of various energy resources in the virtual power plant, including wind power, thermal power and hydropower. Then, with the goal of minimizing costs and reducing carbon emissions, multi-objective optimization algorithms are used to allocate and schedule energy resources in the virtual power plant. On this basis, a two-stage optimization strategy was introduced, combining long-term optimization and short-term scheduling to adapt to energy allocation and scheduling needs at different time scales. The experimental results indicate that this method can effectively improve the energy utilization efficiency and economy of virtual power plants, and reduce carbon emissions.

Efficient virtual power plant management strategy and Leontief-game pricing mechanism towards real-time economic dispatch support: A case study of large-scale 5G base stations

Amidst high penetration of renewable energy, virtual power plant (VPP) technology emerges as a viable solution to bolster power system controllability. This paper integrates a novel flexible load, 5G base stations (gNBs) with their backup energy storage systems (BESSs), into a VPP for power system real-time economic dispatch (RTED). Leveraging BESSs dispatchable capacity, the VPP offers power support and gains economic incentives, where the dispatchable capacity is estimated based on distribution network reliability and gNB availability requirements. Then, an efficient and refined VPP management strategy is proposed, where numerous gNBs are aggregated into limited number of virtual generators (VGs). The VPP dispatchable capacity can be efficiently and accurately evaluated via VGs states. Each VG is assigned a control cost function, enabling optimal control decisions resembling power system RTED, to minimize overall VPP control costs. Finally, a power support and incentive determination mechanism is presented based on the Leontief union bargaining model, ensuring reciprocal transactions between VPP and power system. To solve the Leontief model and address information privacy issues between the two parties, a distributed iterative algorithm is developed. Simulations based on actual data and IEEE 118-bus system illustrate that the proposed approach can smoothen intra-day load profiles, achieving mutual economic benefits for the power system and VPP without compromising the security of 5G network operations.

Adapting to uncertainty: Modeling adaptive investment decisions in the electricity system

The electricity system is undergoing a rapid transformation, with the decisions of investors significantly shaping not only the future supply mix of the system, but also dictating the pace of this transition. Given the sector's inherent complexities and uncertainties, investors are actively adapting their strategies to respond to evolving investment conditions. Effective policy design for low-carbon transition hinges on an understanding of these investment decisions. Traditional energy system models, however, often default to a simplistic view of static investment behavior, falling short of capturing the dynamics of adaptive decision-making. In response to these challenges, our study underscores the necessity of integrating adaptive investment decisions into energy system modeling. We introduce a novel approach to model investment decisions that accommodate the dynamic nature of hurdle rates, the uncertainties tied to the economic performance of various power plant technologies, and differences in investors' levels of loss aversion. While conceptual, the model's scale is comparable to the electricity market of a country such as Germany. Our findings underscore the differences in investment decisions among adaptive and non-adaptive investors. In adaptive scenario, agents initially invest more in wind and solar technologies, but less in later years compared to the no-adaptive case. Furthermore, adaptive agents with less aversion to losses show higher equity values, but also face increased bankruptcy risks. By enhancing our modeling approach to incorporate heterogeneity in adaptive investment decisions, this study aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on low-carbon energy transition and further development of energy system models.

Techno-economic evaluation of CO2 capture and storage retrofit in decarbonizing different thermal power plants: A case study in China

Given that thermal power plants are the dominant mode of power generation in China, decarbonization from thermal power plants is significant to protect the global climate from further warming. CO2 capture and storage (CCS) is one of the most promising approaches for mitigating CO2 emissions; therefore, studies evaluating the effect of CCS retrofit on thermal power plants are urgently required. This study selected coal-fired power plant (CFPP) and natural gas combined cycle power plant (NGCC) as the representative technologies for thermal power plants, and proposed system models for their integrations with CCS. A comprehensive evaluation system was established using different metrics such as specific CO2 emission (CO2 emission per kWh), net electric efficiency, levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), and cost of avoiding CO2 emission (COAE). The detailed effects of fuel price fluctuations, technological advances, and different technology combinations on key metrics were analyzed, in order to propose policy recommendations for the decarbonization of China's thermal power plants using CCS technology. The following results were obtained: (1) The use of CCS to reduce CO2 emissions from thermal power plants will lead to a significant increase in LCOE. Each 100 g/kWh reduction in specific CO2 emission will result in 11 %–14.5 % increase in LCOE for CFPP + CCS, and 9.5 %–13.5 % increase for NGCC + CCS. (2) Technological advances toward reducing specific heat consumption for CO2 capture should be strongly promoted to reduce LCOE. Each 0.4 GJ/t reduction in specific heat consumption will result in an approximately 0.066 CNY/kWh reduction in LCOE for CFPP. (3) Both CFPP + CCS and NGCC + CCS exhibit potential for decreasing COAE below 600 CNY/t, although the technologies to meet this threshold are not currently realistic at higher fuel prices.

Экономическая стратегия ЕС в Центральной Азии: роль Франции

The article examines the strategy of France and the EU in Central Asia (CA) aimed at strengthening economic (including trade and investment) positions, primarily in the key countries of the region (Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan) against the background of geopolitical turbulence. Based on strategic documents of the European Union, conclusions are drawn about the increasing importance of the Central Asian region for the EU, as well as about the evolution of EU-Central Asia relations towards a more institutionalised dialogue, which, in particular, is demonstrated by the adoption of the ‘Joint Roadmap for Deepening Ties between the EU and Central Asia’ in 2023. Special attention is paid to the structure of trade and investment relations between the Central Asian states and the EU and France, the analysis of which also demonstrates an increasing mutual interest in cooperation. The article emphasizes the use of trade with Central Asia by the EU and France as a tool for diversifying imports of critical raw materials. The article also considers the directions of the investment strategy of European countries, mainly aimed at the development of transport corridors through the territory of Central Asian countries in the region as a whole and the strategy of French companies in Central Asia, especially in the energy sector. A growing interest in investing in the nuclear industry of Kazakhstan, the largest uranium producer in the world, against the backdrop of France’s declining influence in Africa, is highlighted. The authors explain Kazakhstan’s motivation in expanding cooperation in this area, which consists in the interest in obtaining French technologies for nuclear power plants. The activities of companies such as EDF and Orano, as well as TotalEnergies, which is developing renewable energy sources in the country, are cited as examples. France and the EU, by soft power and economic instruments strive to become a counterweight to the influence of Russia and China in the Region.

Study on yield limit of steel containment under external pressure considering initial defects

The main objective of floating nuclear power plants (FNPP) is an emerging technology product formed by applying land small-scale nuclear power plant technology to the marine field. The containment structure studied in this article plays a great role in protecting the safety of FNPP’s nuclear power system. When exploring the safety performance of the containment structure under accident conditions, it is necessary to analyze and study the external pressure yield limit of the containment. This study provides a reference basis for the static buckling limit calculation of spherical shell structures similar to steel safety shells. The article adopts a geometric initial defect analysis method based on buckling mode to consider the initial defects of the model and explores the external pressure yield limit of the safety shell through the arc length method. The research results analyzed that the external pressure yield limit of the containment vessel decreased by about 30% under the influence of initial defects and pointed out the weak structural parts of the containment vessel in the buckling analysis.

A review of renewable hybrid power plant technologies: a concept for improving the performance of hybrid solar-biogas power plants

A review of renewable hybrid power plant technologies: a concept for improving the performance of hybrid solar-biogas power plants

Techno-economic analysis on the balance of plant (BOP) equipment due to switching fuel from natural gas to hydrogen in gas turbine power plants

<abstract> <p>The concerns over greenhouse gas emissions, environmental impacts, climate change, and sustainability continue to grow. As a result of countermeasures, many modern gas turbine power plants and combined cycle power plants are considering to use hydrogen as a clean fuel alternative to fossil fuels in the power plant industry. We assessed the implications of such transition from natural gas to hydrogen as fuel in a gas turbine power plant's balance of plant (BOP) equipment. Using the DWSIM process simulation software and the methodology of compression power changes against different gas compositions, the impact of blending hydrogen with natural gas on temperature differentials, energy consumption, adiabatic efficiency, compression power, and economic implications in gas turbine power plants were examined in this paper. We discovered, through analysis, that there was not a noticeable boost in compression power or energy consumption when 50% hydrogen and 50% natural gas were blended. Similarly, there was no discernible difference in temperature differentials or adiabatic efficiency when 30% hydrogen and 70% natural gas were blended. Moreover, mixing 50% hydrogen and 50% natural gas did not result in a noticeable cost climb. In addition, the techno-economic analysis presented in this paper offered valuable insights for power plant engineers, power generation companies, investors in energy sectors, and policymakers, highlighting the nature of the fuel shift and its implications on the economy and technology.</p> </abstract>

Analysis on the Value of Photovoltaic Power Plant Engineering Consultant under Constraint Conditions

Analysis on the Value of Photovoltaic Power Plant Engineering Consultant under Constraint Conditions

Market and Development Trends in Thermal Cutting Technology for Nuclear Power Plant Decommissioning

According to a recent report on nuclear power plants, 686 nuclear reactors exist worldwide, of which 172 have been permanently closed, and 20 have been completely dismantled. The design life of nuclear power plants worldwide is being reached, and the number of decommissioned reactors being closed because of economic and political reasons is expected to increase. Therefore, the growth of the decommissioning market locally and globally is inevitable. In this review paper, the growth potential of the nuclear power plant-decommissioning market and examples of cutting technology research and development in Korea and overseas is discussed. Among the applied cutting processes, mechanical cutting accounts for the majority; however, underwater processing is required for structures at intermediate or higher levels at which radioactivity has progressed for shielding and other purposes. Accordingly, process development for thermal cutting is actively progressing. Representative studies on thermal cutting process are summarized, and the current state of technological development of the laser-cutting process is presented.