Gas Turbine Combined Cycle Range Enhancer - Part 1: Cyber-Physical Setup

Abstract

Natural gas turbine combined cycles (GTCCs) are playing a fundamental role in the current energy transition phase towards sustainable power generation. The competitiveness of a GTCC in future electrical networks will thus be firmly related to its capability of successfully compensating the discontinuous power demands. This can be made possible by enhancing power generation flexibility and extending the operative range of the plant. To achieve this goal, a test rig to investigate gas turbine inlet conditioning techniques was developed at the TPG laboratory of the University of Genoa, Italy. The plant is composed of three key hardware components: a micro gas turbine, a butane-based heat pump, and a phase-change material cold thermal energy storage system. The physical test-rig is virtually scaled up through a cyber-physical approach, to emulate a full scale integrated system. The day-ahead schedule of the plant is determined by a high-level controller referring to the Italian energy market, considering fluctuations in power demands. By using HP and TES, it is possible to control the mGT inlet air temperature and thus enhance the operational range of the plant optimizing the management of energy flows. This article (Part 1) introduces the new experimental facility, the real-time bottoming cycle dynamic model, and the four-level control system that regulates the operation of the whole cyber-physical plant. The experimental campaign and the analysis of the system performance are presented in the Part 2.

Energy Management System for Smart Grids Including Renewable Sources and Industrial Symbiosis

“…5 reports the electricity cost variation for a day in the month of November 2021 for the Eigerøy island. This approach was chosen for the management of the electrolyzers due to the necessity to have a scheduling based on the electricity cost values of the entire day (these can be forecasted on the basis of the previous day data and on other information, such as the day type) [33]. So, when the electricity cost is low, the electrolyzers at maximum load exploit the price situation trying to recharge the storage vessel.…”

“…some if/else cases coupled with a prime mover ranking [5]) to very complex approaches using optimizers [16] or agentbased calculations [17]. In this work, considering the positive results obtained in previous activities including experimental tests [17], the EMS is based on the coupling of a market function block (with a minimization algorithm and if/else cases) with a Model Predictive Control (MPC) tool that takes into account the dynamics of the generators avoiding a rigid connection between the optimizer and the physical systems [18]. Since this approach has been already testes at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) equal to 5 [17], in the ROBINSON project the demonstration in the Eigerøy island (Norway) is expected to reach TRL 7 [19].…”

Butane-based heat pump for advanced GTCC applications: static and dynamic model validation

“…Thanks to the high thermal capacity and phase change of the water inside the TES, the evaporator inlet temperature undergoes very limited variations despite significant changes of mass flow. Additional details regarding the measuring instruments installed on the hydraulic circuits can be found in [10].…”

“…Based on these promising results, the TPG built a cyberphysical emulator of the GTCC enhancer to test its capabilities on real devices in a laboratory environment [10]. The emulator combines physical hardware (micro gas turbine (MGT), HP, TES), dynamic models (GTCC, heat recovery steam generator (HRSG)) and scale-up equations to simulate the behaviour of a real full-scale plant.…”

A new experimental test rig for performance analysis of radial compressors inside innovative heat pumps

“…In the European Union, the residential sector represents 25.4% of final energy use and 20% greenhouse gas emissions [1], [2]. Recovery of waste heat and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions are some of the attractive features of heat pumps over conventional heating/cooling techniques [3], [4]. Commercial heat pumps employing external mechanical work and operating on vapor compression cycles are widely employed nowadays, and some innovative technologies, such as turbines and ejectors replacing the throttling valve, are gaining importance [5] [6].…”