Analyzing of different repowering methods on the example of 300 MW existing steam cycle power plant using gatecycle™ software

Due to the current situation regarding energy safety and carbon dioxide emissions limitations, along with the notable increase in global electricity consumption, repowering has become an increasingly interesting and important solution for achieving energy transformation. Recent research and studies on repowering old steam cycle power plants have primarily focused on thermodynamic parameters and emission reduction, often concentrating on specific plants. However, many important questions about choosing the right repowering technology remain unanswered. This paper discusses different repowering concepts for existing steam cycle power plants, with a focus on a 300 MW steam cycle power plant installed at high altitudes in Armenia. The repowering concepts considered involve three different gas turbines : Siemens V84.2, ABB GT11N2, and Alstom (now GE) GT13E2. To analyze these models, calculations were performed in two stages: 1) analysis of thermodynamic parameters and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for the power plant model, and 2) calculations of thermodynamic parameters at 100 %, 90 %, 80 %, 70 %, 60 %, and 50 % of the power plant's net cycle power. The investigations identified two main repowering concepts: one focused on enhancing power generation and the other on improving plant efficiency by decreasing fuel mass flow. • Exploration of various repowering methods for steam cycle power plants. • Identification of the most suitable repowering approach based on the primary objectives of the project. • Utilization of GateCycle™ software to assess the thermodynamic parameters of the plant.