Solar Combined Cycle Power Plant Research Articles

Thermal analysis of an integrated solar combined cycle power plant and its application in southern Iraq

Recently, simple cycle play a significant role in electric power production in Iraq. However, those units suffer from low thermal efficiency and low power output. In the present work, theoretical study is carried out aiming to improve the performance of (AL-Amara station 125MW). The present work includes three parts: the first part focus on the effect of ambient temperature on the performance of simple cycle including mass flow rate, power output, thermal efficiency and other parameters. In the second parts, a modification to simple cycle is implanted to be a combined cycle. The third part is studied the benefit of using solar unit for producing more steam to be supplied to the heat recovery steam generator wishing to produce more power and low emissing. Regarding, to simple gas turbine unit, the obtained results show that the mass flow rate is decreased nearly (10.8%) when the ambient temperature increased from (15-50) ºC. However, this reduction in mass flow rate of air is led to significant reduction in power output and thermal efficiency nearly (22.6%,13.2%) respectively. In the second parts, applying combine mode show a significant increase in power output and thermal efficiency nearly (32.5% and 32.3%) respectively. while the specific fuel consumption is decrease nearly (32.19%). Finally, the third parts when solar units are used, the gathered results show an acceptable increase for the amount of steam produced via solar units (21.02kg/s). The overall performance of the integrated cycle shows that the power output and the thermal efficiency increased nearly (11.28%and10%).

Mathematical model of the solar combined cycle power plant using phase change materials in thermal energy storage system (Thermodynamic analysis)

This research presents a novel mathematical framework for optimizing solar combined cycle power plants, with a particular emphasis on the exergy analysis of various superheating heat exchanger configurations used in thermal energy storage. The importance of phase change materials (PCMs) in improving the thermodynamic efficiency of solar combined cycle power plants is emphasized in this study. The investigation includes three configurations, two with a single PCM and one with two PCMs. The use of PCMs is intended to increase storage density, reduce volume, and maintain consistent temperatures, thereby favoring latent energy storage. The model developed evaluates exergy efficiency and output temperature profiles during the charging and discharging processes. The results show that the single PCM configuration has an impressive charging efficiency of 93.12 %, reaching an output temperature of 371 °C in 8 h. The two PCM configurations, on the other hand, achieve even higher efficiency at 94.89 % during charging, with an output temperature of 367 °C over a slightly longer 10-hour period. This comparison emphasizes the benefits of using two PCMs, demonstrating increased exergy efficiency and a marginal increase in output temperature over a single PCM setup. Furthermore, a comparison of the outcomes resulting from the use of a single type of PCM in exchangers reveals that the disparity in PCM melting temperatures causes only minor variations in the system's efficiency. The findings emphasize the significance of optimal PCM utilization for efficient solar energy retention, particularly during periods of low radiation.

Analysis of the Performance of a Hybrid Thermal Power Plant Using Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS)-Based Approaches

The hybridization of conventional thermal power plants by the incorporation of renewable energy systems has witnessed widespread adoption in recent years. This trend aims not only to mitigate carbon emissions but also to enhance the overall efficiency and performance of these power generation facilities. However, calculating the performance of such intricate systems using fundamental thermodynamic equations proves to be both laborious and time-intensive. Nevertheless, possessing accurate and real-time insights into their performance is of utmost significance to ensure optimal plant operation, facilitate decision making, and streamline power production planning. This paper explores the novel application of machine learning techniques to predict the performance of hybrid thermal power plants, specifically the integrated solar combined cycle power plant (ISCCPP). These plants combine conventional thermal power generation with renewable energy sources, making them crucial in the context of carbon reduction and enhanced efficiency. We employ three machine learning approaches: the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), ANFIS optimized via particle swarm optimization (ANFIS-PSO), and ANFIS optimized through a genetic algorithm (ANFIS-GA). These methods are applied to the complex ISCCPP, comprising steam and gas turbine sections and a concentrated solar power system. The results highlight the accuracy of ANFIS-based models in evaluating and predicting plant performance, with an exceptional overall correlation coefficient of 0.9991. Importantly, integrating evolutionary algorithms (PSO and GA) into ANFIS significantly enhances performance, yielding correlation coefficients of 0.9994 for ANFIS-PSO and 0.9997 for ANFIS-GA, with ANFIS-GA outperforming the others. This research provides a robust tool for designers, energy managers, and decision makers, offering valuable support in assessing the performance of hybrid thermal power plants. As the world transitions to cleaner energy sources, the insights gained here are poised to have a significant impact on the growing number of these thermal power plants globally.

Exergy, Exergoeconomic, Exergoenvironmental, Emergy-based Assessment and Advanced Exergy-based Analysis of an Integrated Solar Combined Cycle Power Plant

The high amount of solar energy as clean and sustainable energy has increased awareness in solar energy concentration, especially in integrated concepts. One of the best and promising hybrid configurations for converting solar energy into power is an integrated solar combined cycle system (ISCCS). In this study, conventional and advanced analysis tools for the ISCCS located in Yazd (Iran) have been investigated. In this paper, thermodynamic simulation, exergy, exergoeconomic, and exergoenvironmental analysis based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) have been performed. In addition, an emergy-based concept, including emergoeconomic and emergoenvironmental assessment, has been performed. In-depth analysis of exergy, exergoeconomic, and exergoenvironmental modelling, advanced exergy analysis based on endogenous/exogenous and avoidable/unavoidable parts have been done. In this regard, MATLAB code has been developed for thermodynamic simulation, exergy, exergoeconomic, exergoenvironment, emergoeconomic and emergoenvironment analysis. Furthermore, THERMOFLEX (commercial software) applied for thermodynamic simulation and verification. The Sankey diagram based on each analysis tool has been constructed. Furthermore, the priority of improvement based on each analysis has been identified. The thermal efficiency and net power generation of ISCCS are 48.25% and 419600 kW, respectively. It was obsereved that in most equipment, less than 10% of exergy destruction and cost and environmental impact rates were avoidable/endogenous.

A performance evaluation of an integrated solar combined cycle power plant with solar tower in Saudi Arabia

• A 548.4 MW Integrated solar combined cycle power plant is proposed including 50 MW from solar tower technology. • A techno-economic analysis outcomes are incorporated with the weather characteristics of Saudi Arabia. • On-the-ground measured meteorological data is adopted for accurate simulations. • The hybridized solar tower field achieved efficiency ranging between 53 and 59% annually and a capacity factor of 49.9%. • The annual generation of the solar tower field is found to be at 220.89 GWh and the levelized cost of energy 12.71 cent/kWh. Improving the diversification and sustainability of Saudi Arabia’s national electricity grid is a strategic priority. In order for this objective to come to fruition, increasing the penetration of renewable energy resources (RESs) is of paramount importance. This is where the importance of improving solar powered technologies becomes crucial. Specifically, concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) technologies have significant potential in Saudi Arabia, as well as other locations with high averages of direct normal irradiation. In this research, a techno-economic analysis has been conducted for the adoption of an integrated solar combined cycle (ISCC) which utilizes solar tower (ST) technology in Saudi Arabia. The power plant under study has a total capacity of 548.4 MW, of which 50 MW is from CSP. The outputs of this model are compared with other conventional and renewable energy sources quantitively. The results show that the hybridized ST field can achieve efficiency ranging between 53 and 59% annually leading to a capacity factor of 49.9% which is higher than other RES technologies of similar intermittent nature. The solar field installed capacity represents 9.11% of the total power plant capacity, whereas its output represents up to 10.7% of the total output. The annual generation of the solar tower field is found to be at 220.89 GWh, net present value (NPV) 10.2 MSUD, and levelized cost of energy (LCOE) 12.71 cent/kWh. The results reflect that the hybridization of CSP with conventional combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) results in enhanced annual generation, lower energy cost, and facilitates the transition to stand-alone CSP. The hybridization of ST ISCC helps to steadily build up the know-how of the operation and maintenance of a technology with great potential given the weather and demand characteristics of Saudi Arabia. Results of this research can facilitate decision-making in the early stages of penetrating CSP to the electricity mix in the Saudi national grid in order to achieve the desired sustainability of energy sources.

Thermodynamic modeling and comprehensive off-design performance analysis of a real integrated solar combined cycle power plant

Thermodynamic modeling and comprehensive off-design performance analysis of a real integrated solar combined cycle power plant

Development and Validation of a Dynamic Simulation Model for an Integrated Solar Combined Cycle Power Plant

The combined cycle power plants are the most recognized thermal power plants for their high efficiency, fast start-up capability, and relatively low environmental impact. Moreover, their flexible unit dispatch supports the share of renewable energy, which contributes to carbon mitigation. The operational flexibility of Integrated Solar Combined Cycle (ISCC) power plants is a crucial factor for reliable grid stability. To evaluate the limitations and capabilities of ISCC power plants and their control structures, dynamic simulation is a feasible method. In this study, a sophisticated dynamic process model of the ISCC power plant in Kuraymat, Egypt, has been developed using APROS software. The model describes the plant with a high level of detail including the solar field, the heat recovery steam generator, and the control structures. The model was implemented structurally identical to the reference plant and tuned using the operational design data. Actual measurements were used as the basis for the initialization and validation of the dynamic simulation environment. Dynamic analysis of four different days was performed, then the simulation results were presented and compared with actual measurements. The comparison showed that the course of the actual measurements could be predicted with high accuracy. The solar field influences and the system’s overall power curves are reliably simulated. Consequently, the validated model can simulate the dynamic behavior of the ISCC power plant with a high degree of accuracy, and can be considered in future planning decisions.

Energy, exergy, and economic analysis of an integrated solar combined cycle power plant

AbstractIntegrated Solar Combined Cycle (ISCC) power plants based on Parabolic Trough Concentrators (PTCs) are the most efficient way for solar into electrical energy conversion. However, due to operation in several climate conditions, they need more efforts in their adaptation. This paper presents a techno‐economic assessment of an ISCC ‐ PTC system operating at Hassi R'mel site (Algerian Sahara) for which a new thermal storage system is incorporated. The obtained results reveal noticeable enhancements in the solar energy conversion and the overall power plant performance, hence offering better stability to the grid. As shown, the net solar thermal energy conversion ratio may reach up to 14%. Energy and exergy efficiencies are respectively equal to 56.06% and 53.29%, and about 46% of exergy received by the system is destructed. Moreover, the obtained Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) is around 9.75 ¢/kWh which is very promising, but still higher compared with a simple Combined Cycle (CC). At this geographical site, the modified ISCC ‐ PTC power plant will allow saving about 30 million $ in natural gas consumption and 13 million $ in emission taxes.

Multiperiod optimization of heat exchanger networks with integrated thermodynamic cycles and thermal storages

This work proposes a multiperiod synthesis methodology to optimize simultaneously the utility systems, Rankine cycles and Heat Exchanger Networks considering different expected operating modes and off-design operating conditions. Heat exchangers are modeled with different approaches depending on the type of off-design control measure. The problem is formulated as a nonconvex MINLP. Being too challenging for general purpose MINLP solvers, a bilevel decomposition algorithm is specifically developed. One case study consists in designing a flexible Organic Rankine Cycle able to deal with different operating modes, and the returned solution shows a considerable improvement in economics compared to a single-period design. The other two case studies are an Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle able to operate in two different modes, and a flexible Integrated Solar Combined Cycle power plant. Despite the large number of hot/cold streams and technical design/operational constraints, the proposed method can find very good solutions featuring cost-effective designs.

Special Issue “Thermochemical Conversion Processes for Solid Fuels and Renewable Energies”

The world society ratifies international measures to reach a flexible and low-carbon energy economy, attenuating climate change and its devastating environmental consequences. The main contribution of this Special Issue is related to thermochemical conversion technologies of solid fuels (e.g., biomass, refuse-derived fuel, and sewage sludge), in particular via combustion and gasification. Here, the recent activities on operational flexibility of co-combustion of biomass and lignite, carbon capture methods, solar-driven air-conditioning systems, integrated solar combined cycle power plants, and advanced gasification systems, such as the sorption-enhanced gasification and the chemical looping gasification, are shown.

Investigating an Integrated Solar Combined Cycle Power Plant

Using solar energy standalone to generate electricity has high investment risk. This is due to the need to energy storage systems to ensure electricity generation during the night. For this reason the hybridization of renewable energy resources and fossil fuel has been motivated. In an Integrated solar combined-cycle (ISCC) the solar thermal energy is integrated into combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of addition of solar energy to a CCGT at both design and off design conditions of solar thermal input and ambient temperature.

An innovative dynamic model for an integrated solar combined cycle power plant under off-design conditions

The integrated solar combined cycle power plants are currently the most efficient way of converting solar energy into electricity. Increasing the thermal efficiency of these plants depends strongly on the dynamic characteristics of off-design conditions and the operational control strategies. An innovative mathematical model has been presented to investigate the dynamic behavior of an Integrated Solar Combined Cycle power plant in Hassi R'mel, Algeria under off-design conditions in this study. The proposed model is analyzed via computer simulation on the Matlab environment using the recent operating parameters of the plant and the meteorological data recorded by the Abener hybrid solar-gas central of Hassi R'mel. The simulation results indicate that the experimental data of the outlet temperature of the solar field and the power generated by the plant verify the predictions found by the model. The root mean square error and mean absolute error range respectively between 4.03 and 4.12 °C and 1.45–1.80 °C for the outlet temperature of the solar cycle and 1.61–1.72 MW and 0.67–0.75 MW for the net power under specified experimental conditions. It is revealed that the off-design conditions, particularly the direct normal irradiance and the wind speed, affect the Integrated Solar Combined Cycle performance significantly. The presented model is an effective tool that can provide a wealth of information to power plant operators and designers during operational plant design, and management to mitigate the adverse impact of possible off-design conditions on power production and to boost power production by management strategies.

Exergy-Based Analysis and Optimization of an Integrated Solar Combined-Cycle Power Plant.

The transition towards higher shares of electricity generation from renewable energy sources is shown to be significantly slower in developing countries with low-cost fossil fuel resources. Integrating conventional power plants with concentrated solar power may facilitate the transition towards a more sustainable power production. In this paper, a novel natural gas-fired integrated solar combined-cycle power plant was proposed, evaluated, and optimized with exergy-based methods. The proposed system utilizes the advantages of combined-cycle power plants, direct steam generation, and linear Fresnel collectors to provide 475 MW baseload power in Aswan, Egypt. The proposed system is found to reach exergetic efficiencies of 50.7% and 58.1% for day and night operations, respectively. In economic analysis, a weighted average levelized cost of electricity of 40.0 $/MWh based on the number of day and night operation hours is identified. In exergoeconomic analysis, the costs of thermodynamic inefficiencies were identified and compared to the component cost rates. Different measures for component cost reduction and performance enhancement were identified and applied. Using iterative exergoeconomic optimization, the levelized cost of electricity is reduced to a weighted average of 39.2 $/MWh and a specific investment cost of 1088 $/kW. Finally, the proposed system is found to be competitive with existing integrated solar combined-cycle plants, while allowing a significantly higher solar share of 17% of the installed capacity.

Recent Developments in Integrated Solar Combined Cycle Power Plants

Global concern for depleting fossil fuel reserves have been compelling for evolving power generation options using renewable energy sources. The solar energy happens to be a potential source for running the power plants among renewable energy sources. Integrated Solar Combined Cycle (ISCC) power plants have gained popularity among the thermal power plants. Traditional ISCC power plants use Direct Steam Generation (DSG) approach. However, with the DSG method, the ISCC plant’s overall thermal efficiency does not increase significantly due to variations in the availability of solar energy. Thermal Energy Storage (TES) systems when integrated into the solar cycle can address such issues related to energy efficiency, process flexibility, reducing intermittency during non-solar hours. This review work focuses and discusses the developments in various components of the ISCC system including its major cycles and related parameters. The main focus is on CSP technologies, Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF), and Phase Change Material (PCM) used for thermal energy storage. Further, study includes heat enhancement methods with HTF and latent heat storage system. This study will be beneficial to the power plant professionals intending to modify the solar-based Combined Cycle Power Plant (CCPP) and to retrofit the existing Natural Gas Combined Cycle (NGCC) plant with the advanced solar cycle.

Modeling of integrated solar combined cycle power plant (ISCC) of Hassi R'mel, Algeria

Purpose Integrated solar combined cycle (ISCC) using parabolic trough collector (PTC) technology is a new power plant that has been installed in few countries to benefit from the use of hybrid solar-gas systems. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the challenges in modeling the thermal output of the hybrid solar-gas power plant and to analyze the factors that influence them. Design/methodology/approach To validate the proposal, a study was conducted on a test stand in situ and based on the statistical analysis of meteorological data of the year 2017. Such data have been brought from Abener hybrid solar-gas central of Hassi R’mel and used as an input of our model. Findings The proposal made by the authors has been simulated using MATLAB environment. The simulation results show that the net solar electricity reaches 18 per cent in June, 15 per cent in March and September, while it cannot exceed 8 per cent in December. Moreover, it shows that the power plant responses sensibly to solar energy, where the electricity output increases accordingly to the solar radiation increase. This increase in efficiency results in better economic utilization of the solar PTC equipment in such kind of hybrid solar-gas power plant. Practical implications The obtained results would be expected to provide the possibility for designing other power plants in Algeria when such conditions are met (high DNI, low wind speed, water and natural-gas availability). Originality/value This paper presents a new model able to predict the thermal solar energy and the net solar-electricity efficiency of such kind solar hybrid power plant.

Performance optimization of an integrated solar combined cycle power plant equipped with a brine circulation MSF desalination unit

Population growth and the limited water resources make water desalination the first-priority choice to overcome the freshwater deficit in Egypt. However, desalinating large quantities of seawater requires huge electrical power generation. Therefore, the present work introduces and optimizes an integrated solar combined cycle (ISCC) that is designed to drive a MSF desalination unit with brine circulation. A two-stage intercooled compressor is proposed for the gas turbine unit in lieu of a single stage compressor. The thermal energy recovered from the compressor intercooling is used for desalinating the seawater using a MSF desalination unit. Multi-objective optimization was implemented in order to achieve the best cycle performance for operation in two different locations of Egypt. The present results show that the proposed cycle improves the ISCC net power produced by up to 18.5% at a top brine temperature of To = 105 °C and without thermal energy from the solar field (Q̇solar = 0). A single module of the proposed cycle is able to produce 16,364.2 m3/day of fresh water and 126.2 MW of power at To = 105 °C and Q̇solar = 0. A detailed cost analysis of the generated power and produced fresh water is recommended for future work.

A case study on combined cycle power plant integrated with solar energy in Trinidad and Tobago

Aim of the paper is to evaluate the benefit of a renewable energy initiative for Trinidad and Tobago. Trinidad and Tobago have abundant natural gas, a highly developed power generation system almost entirely based on combustion fuels, high solar irradiation, but skies often covered by clouds, a detrimental factor for concentrated solar power technologies. The simple, consolidated, parabolic trough technology, without the addition of thermal energy storage, has the potential to deliver better than solar photovoltaic capacity factors at a comparable cost when mass produced. Integration with natural gas combustion may permit to address the issues of clouds coverage. A computational analysis is proposed for an Integrated Solar Combined Cycle power plant comprising a reference combined cycle gas turbine plant, and a small solar field, located in Trinidad and Tobago. The simulations demonstrate the advantages, in terms of fuel conversion efficiency, of the small solar field addition. On average over the year, the plant operates over the morning and afternoon periods, of length about 8 h a day, at an efficiency of 57.34%, about 2.58% better, and over the mid-day periods, of length about 4 h a day, at an efficiency of 57.97%, about 3.16% better.

Study and Prediction the Performance of an Integrated Solar Combined Cycle Power Plant

Concentrating solar thermal systems (CSP) have recently introduced as solar technologies that used for electrical power generation by heating a working fluid to high operating temperature range (≥300 oC) and combining it with a thermodynamic power cycle. This study is carried out to develop a Mathcad mathematical model for simulation and analyzing the performance of a pre-design integrated solar combined cycle power plant (ISCC). The system performance analysis results show that the ISCC operation mode raises the plant capacity from 503 MW to 555.23 MW in summer months. The annual solar share of electrical energy is approximately 85.77 GWh and the annual reduction in CO2 emission are approximately 51670.8 tons.

Leveraging Energy Storage in a Solar-Tower and Combined Cycle Hybrid Power Plant

A method is presented to enhance solar penetration of a hybrid solar-combined cycle power plant integrated with a packed-bed thermal energy storage system. The hybrid plant is modeled using Simulink and employs systems-level automation. Feedback control regulates net power, collector temperature, and turbine firing temperature. A base-case plant is presented, and plant design is systematically modified to improve solar energy utilization. A novel recycling configuration enables robust control of collector temperature and net power during times of high solar activity. Recycling allows for improved solar energy utilization and a yearly solar fraction over 30%, while maintaining power control. During significant solar activity, excessive collector temperature and power setpoint mismatch are still observed with the proposed recycling configuration. A storage bypass is integrated with recycling, to lower storage charging rate. This operation results in diverting only a fraction of air flow to storage, which lowers the storage charging rate and improves solar energy utilization. Recycling with a storage bypass can handle larger solar inputs and a solar fraction over 70% occurs when following a drastic peaking power load. The novel plant configuration is estimated to reduce levelized cost of the plant by over 4% compared to the base-case plant.

Analysis and design of an integrated solar combined cycle power plant using the software SOLEEC

The use of solar plants as auxiliary systems in conventional power combined cycles has contributed to the evaporation process, reducing the use of fossil fuels for steam generation. The present work is focused on the analysis and design of sizing the optimum solar field for being implemented in the fourth unit of the combined cycle power plant “Valle de México” in Mexico. The software SOLEEC is used to determine the collector geometrical features based on the absorber tube external diameter; in this study, three cases have been analyzed, 2, 3, and 4 in. absorber tube diameters. The best collector's geometry depends on the steam temperature, the working pressure, and the mass flow necessary to supply the overheated steam; also, the total aperture area of the field, the total reflective surface area, and the thermal efficiency for every case have been obtained; the absorber tube is divided into three sections: preheating, evaporation, and overheating and the collector is considered in Once Trough mode. Once the geometrical and thermal characteristics are obtained for the three designing configurations, an analysis is carried out to determine the advantages of the best configuration that would be selected for this specific application. According to the results, the best geometry is the one with 2 in. in the absorber diameter, producing a fraction of 50.3 kg/s of steam.