Gas-Fired Power

Boosting the operational excellence of a mature technology in a changing market

Laborelec’s CCGT (Combined Cycle Gas Turbine) Research Program develops innovative, cost-saving solutions to CCGT-related issues.

Increasing power plant flexibility

Grid constraints in deregulated energy markets are increasingly requiring power plants to operate flexibly, which they were not designed for. Laborelec supports CCGT plants in mitigating the risks of increased flexibility by quantifying its impact on critical equipment such as gas turbines, steam turbines, boilers, and generators.

Minimizing efficiency losses at all loads

Laborelec researches ways to identify and eliminate efficiency losses in power plants—both at base and partial load. This includes:

• Developing accurate performance assessment indicators
• Designing and testing improvements in manufacturers’ hardware designs

Ensuring high availability and reliability

High plant availability and reliability are required to meet the ever-increasing demand for electricity and market flexibility. To achieve this, Laborelec works on a number of research projects, including:

• Advanced condition monitoring and diagnostic tools for the early detection and analysis of component malfunctioning
• Rotor dynamics modelling of shaft lines for effective root cause analysis and troubleshooting of vibration incidents

Lowering operation and maintenance costs

Reducing operation and maintenance costs is a priority for power plants. Laborelec is investigating ways to reduce these costs, for instance through:

• In-depth analysis of lifetime extension programs and development of blade life management methods
• Quality programs for reverse and re-engineering trials on costly or under-performing equipment
• Best practice development for condition assessment and maintenance of steam turbines, electrical equipment, and distributed control systems

Reducing environmental impact

Environmental legislation is constantly evolving, particularly in areas such as emissions and water treatment. Hence, helping plants reduce their environmental impact is another key research driver. Our experts:

• Assess green chemistry methods such as phosphorus-free anti-scalants, ultra-filtration reverse osmosis cleaning, and chlorine-free anti-fouling treatments
• Further research dry low-NO_X combustion technologies and predictive emission monitoring systems
• Anticipate changes in legislation and participate in pre-normative workgroups

Contact

For more information, contact us.