Optimal Operation of Cogeneration Plants With Steam-Injected Gas Turbines

Abstract

The effect of introducing steam-injected gas turbines into cogeneration plants is investigated from economical and energy-saving aspects on the basis of a mathematical programming approach. An optimal planning method is first presented by which the operational strategy is assessed so as to minimize the hourly running cost. Then, a case study is carried out on a plant used for district heating and cooling. Through the study, it is ascertained that the proposed method is a useful tool for the operational planning of steam-injected gas turbine plants, and that these plants can be attractive from economical and energy-saving viewpoints as compared with both simple-cycle gas turbine plus waste heat boiler plants and conventional energy supply ones.