Solar Aided Combined Cycle Power Plant

Integrated Solar Combined Cycle, ISCC, power plants can result in more efficient use of fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas and petroleum. The waste heat from the exhaust of the gas turbine can be used along with the solar energy to raise steam and drive a steam turbine. 

The world record for obtained power for less fuel was accomplished in April, 2011. Siemens setup a 580 MW power station with combined cycle operations of steam and gas turbines. The gas turbine blades were made out of crystalline nickel. The inlet gas turbine temperature was1400–1500°C. The boiler weighs 7000 metric tons and the heat exchanger has an area of 510,000 m2. Combined cycle power plant in China operates at efficiencies of about 59.7% recorded at a 430 MW power plant in operation. Thermo-economic analysis and 4E analysis – Energy, Exergy, Environment and Economic Analysis, second law costing methods can be used to confirm the feasibility of increases in thermal efficiency from 30% to ~60-75%. There is potential for power plant with higher combined cycle efficiencies in this country, United States from the current levels reported at ~40%. Read more>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>