Session: 08-10. Gas Turbine Outage Optimization

Paper Number: 123486

123486 - Hydrogen Fueling and GT Demand Changes Impact Insights Through Modeling 

Gas Turbine fleet operation is likely to see significant change over the coming years.  An increase in the variation in load demand due the increase in Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) and an increase in low carbon fuels usage such as hydrogen is possible for much of the fleet. Based on the energy source and demand changes to which gas turbines will be subject a simulation study has been initiated.  Specifically, natural gas fired base loaded combustion turbines will likely see fuel (hydrogen) and demand (cyclic operation) changes.  The source of these changes is not a function of policy, technology, capacity, or regulations; but a function of all these. To evaluate these changes a gas turbine example is examined and modeled. The system models the gas turbine major components and the fuel delivery system.  The fidelity of the model is detailed enough to simulate transient effects of supply and demand variations while being efficient enough to allow fast simulation of multiple cases for evaluation.  The model boundary conditions are exercised to evaluate the impact of multiple scenarios in varying supply and demand to assess the system response, identify potential issues and evaluate potential solutions to those issues.  Variations modeled are fuel supply, such as hydrogen capacity and pressure; turbine capabilities such as startup and load ramp rates, thermal efficiency and blending capability; and turbine outputs such as emissions and power generation. The model is used to predict the demand on and demands of the asset and subsequently how those demands will result changes to the operation of the power plant.  Issues that a tracked in the modeling include potential transients in combustion temperature, hydrogen blend, and load demand controls. Traditional control methods for meeting fuel supply requirements and power requirements are then compared to other methods including model predictive control. These results serve as a first step in analyzing the new operation that existing gas turbines may be subject to, what that operation may lead to with nominal system control, and some potential solutions to issues that may arise without system control updates.

Presenting Author: James Harper EPRI

Presenting Author Biography: Jim Harper is a Principal Technical Lead at EPRI.

Jim Harper has over 20 years’ experience as a thermal systems engineer in a range of industries. Jim is a Principle Technical Lead in the Gas Turbine Technology Division at EPRI. EPRI is the Electric Power Research Institute headquartered in the US but with a presence across the world. EPRI’s mission is advancing safe, reliable, affordable, and clean energy for society through global collaboration, science and technology innovation, and applied research.

Jim has worked with EPRI members on projects around gas turbine operation and energy transition including hydrogen fueling. Jim has supported and led aspects of hydrogen fueling demonstrations as well as hydrogen generation, storage and blending with natural gas studies.

Jim has extensive gas turbine design, control, testing and fleet experience. He was a Combustion Technical Leader at General Electric where he was a system owner of Gas Turbine combustion system mechanical, thermal and control architectures. In addition, Jim worked in the electric vehicle automotive industry where he was a senior thermal systems design lead responsible for all thermal systems design, validation and fleet support including battery, motor, power electronics and cabin thermal systems. He has authored over 10 patents in Gas Turbine Design and control as well as EV thermal system control architectures.

Authors:

James Harper EPRI
Paolo Pezzini EPRI
Moritz Hubel Modelon