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Having previously worked with coal fired power plants, am trying to learn something new. So, this question might seem a little obvious to most.
Was a little surprised to understand that after the combined cyclone plant gets to higher load points, the steam turbine operates in, basically, valves wide open mode. The steam turbine then produces as much power as results from the exhaust gas temperature and flow exiting the gas turbine and entering the HRSG.
While the exhaust gas temperature exiting the gas turbine is controlled, that control action does little to regulate the actual MW produced by the generator connected to the steam turbine. Instead it primarily ensures that the steam temperature leaving the HRSG will be satisfactory (e.g. 1005 F.)
So, my question is: does the operator of a combined cycle plant attempt to achieve a particular Net MW production (e.g. Gas Turbine(s) + Steam Turbine(s)), or does he/she more or less park the gas turbine at a specified load point and the Net MW is whatever it is?
Put another way, how does the operation of a combined cycle plant interact with the System Operator for the entire grid? Will the combined cycle operator receive a request for a particular MW generation and if so, how will it be achieved?
Thanks for your help.
Was a little surprised to understand that after the combined cyclone plant gets to higher load points, the steam turbine operates in, basically, valves wide open mode. The steam turbine then produces as much power as results from the exhaust gas temperature and flow exiting the gas turbine and entering the HRSG.
While the exhaust gas temperature exiting the gas turbine is controlled, that control action does little to regulate the actual MW produced by the generator connected to the steam turbine. Instead it primarily ensures that the steam temperature leaving the HRSG will be satisfactory (e.g. 1005 F.)
So, my question is: does the operator of a combined cycle plant attempt to achieve a particular Net MW production (e.g. Gas Turbine(s) + Steam Turbine(s)), or does he/she more or less park the gas turbine at a specified load point and the Net MW is whatever it is?
Put another way, how does the operation of a combined cycle plant interact with the System Operator for the entire grid? Will the combined cycle operator receive a request for a particular MW generation and if so, how will it be achieved?
Thanks for your help.