Emerson’s James Nyenhuis, Ranjit Rao, and Jonathan Gillam presented Consistent and Optimal Combined Cycle Operations at the 2024 Ovation Users Group Conference. Here is their presentation abstract.
The increase of renewable assets on the power grid are requiring combined cycle plants to cycle and move load more frequently. This abstract will discuss the process of analyzing the operation of a unit over time using the Ovation Process Analytics Studio. From that evaluation, the following areas of operation and control can be assessed with a look toward optimization. Advanced Bypass Control Advanced Drum Level Control Advanced Inlet Pressure Control Advanced Pump Protection Duct Burner Optimization Procedure Integration Improvements with some or all of these areas of CC operation when combined with the consistency of startup and shutdown procedure integration can greatly enhance performance and reliability with an increase in unit flexibility.
The increase of renewable assets on the power grid are requiring combined cycle plants to cycle and move load more frequently. This abstract will discuss the process of analyzing the operation of a unit over time using the Ovation Process Analytics Studio. From that evaluation, the following areas of operation and control can be assessed with a look toward optimization.
Improvements with some or all of these areas of CC operation when combined with the consistency of startup and shutdown procedure integration can greatly enhance performance and reliability with an increase in unit flexibility.
James opened by sharing how the world we operate in is changing. As conventional assets transition towards supporting and absorbing the ebb and flow of renewable MWhs, there is an increased demand for current automation systems to manage the daily cycle dynamics better. Wholesale markets are increasingly giving price signals to incentivize increased unit rates of change. In competitive situations, improved operational dynamics can provide tangible revenue benefits.
A large percentage of North America’s combined cycle plants cycle frequently, taxing the generation assets. Predictive models can help estimate fuel usage for differing start types for these cycles to support efficient market engagement.
Using the model data, Ovation Analytics Studio can use real-time, historical, and other operating data to identify optimization opportunities given these intermittent operation modes. One example James shared was tracking cycling variability for hot CT/HRSG cycles, looking at the per-start variability of fuel usage.
In the Analytic Studio, with connectivity to the historian, a conditional extraction function pulls data from the flame on to release to dispatch for the gas turbine trains over a year to identify all the unit startups. The resulting query captures all the starts events including the durations.
After identifying these starts, we can examine individual points in the startup, such as fuel flow and drum pressure. Totalization calculations can be applied to provide integrated fuel use during the startup to determine its consistency per start type over time.
The consulting team’s general approach is to use the Ovation analytics tools to perform an operational analysis, apply advanced power applications to ensure the most robust and optimal control capabilities, and apply sequential automation to drive higher levels of automation and consistency.
Ranjit discussed advanced bypass control application as an example which provides better resilience and management of significant load rejections from the steam turbine. It supports an optimal response to significant load rejections in the process and increased reliability during bypass system blending and un-blending.
The advanced bypass control application:
Other applications Ranjit highlighted included advanced drum level control, advanced inlet pressure control, advanced pump protection control, duct burner optimization, and procedural integration.
Here is a summary of Ovation Advanced Control applications for Combined Cycle and Coal-Fired power generation plants.
Visit the Ovation Power Plant Optimization Software section on Emerson.com for more information on ways to drive overall performance improvements and more sustainable operations.
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