A combined cycle solution is a power plant consisting of steam and gas power generation technologies. It simply generates electricity by utilizing the heat wasted from gas turbines. The heat from a gas turbine’s exhaust channels into a traditional boiler or a heat recovery steam generator to produce steam. Then, it runs a steam turbine and transforms it into extra power electricity. As a result, 50% more electricity is produced than in a conventional simple-cycle plant. But let’s talk about the combined cycle solution in Pakistan.
Pakistan is increasingly becoming an urban-majority population, so electricity demand is increasing. However, the demand has far outpaced the supply. As a result, the electricity crisis worsens as Pakistan’s electricity shortfall reaches 5,944 MW. Considering the deteriorating situation, combined cycle plants may be the fix to the problem.
Advantages of Combine Cycle Solution
● High Plant efficiency
Overall, plant efficiency is high and can generate 50% more power.
● Lower Investment Outlay
The investment cost is at least 30% lower than a conventional steam power plant, as 70% of the output is generated in gas turbines and 30% in simple steam turbines.
● Lesser Water
Only a small amount of cooling water is required. Compared to a steam plant, only 40-50% is used.
● Better Flexibility
There is better operating flexibility as a simple steam cycle allows the start and shutdown of the plant quickly and decreases start-up losses.
● Installation in Phases
Gas turbines can go into action much sooner than the steam plant; therefore, installation in phases is possible. This allows energy to generate simultaneously to keep up with the demand in a grid.
● Simple Operation
Combined cycle plants are often operated fully and automatically. This is why they can generate electricity in places where human resources are scarce or less experienced.
Combined cycle (CC) plants with gas burning are often preferred by environmentalists to be used due to their high efficiency and low emission levels of pollutants. For example, deficient NOx levels are produced, and a coal-fired plant releases only 40% per kWh of CO2.
Combine Cycle Solution Pakistan
Balloki combined-cycle power (CCP) is a 1.2GW project developed in the Kasur district of Punjab, Pakistan. The Government of Pakistan took the initiative with the help of National Power Park Management Company Limited (NPPMCL).
This $874.7 million project is being developed in hopes of combatting the significant shortfall the country is facing. The initial construction was started in November 2015 on a site near Kasur. The area was chosen based on load flow, power evacuation, water availability, grid station, and transmission lines.
It consists of two GE H-class 9HA.01 GT, two heat recovery steam generators, and one steam turbine. In addition, NPPMCL had signed a deal with Sui Northern Gas Pipelines to provide gas to the power plant from the Sawan gas field via a 30in-diameter, 8km-long spur gas pipeline.
The good news is that many companies, including MMG Engineering, are interested in investing in effective and conservation-based solutions in Pakistan to deal with the energy crisis, so the future doesn’t look dark.