A Machine Learning Models for Predicting Power Output in Gas Turbines: A Case Study from Perdawood Power Station, Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan

Gas Turbines (GT) are essential generation units in both centralized and distributed power systems. In many regions worldwide, GTs are the primary source of electrical energy due to their affordability, efficiency, and flexibility. GT can quickly reach peak output, making them ideal as auxiliary units, additionally, they are often integrated with renewable energy sources to improve system adequacy and reliability. Accurate forecasting of GT power output is crucial for achieving efficient management and smart operation of these units. This study presents the first application of machine learning techniques for electrical power output prediction from a combined cycle gas power plant in the Iraqi Kurdistan region. A novel dataset comprising 7,893 data points collected during base load operations over four years, from 2019 to 2023 at the Perdawood Electrical Power Station in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The dataset includes eight features - Ambient Temperature (AT), Ambient barometric Pressure (AP), Specific Humidity (CH), grid frequency (DF), Gas Fuel Flow (GP), Compressor Pressure Discharge (CPD), Compressor Pressure Ratio (CPR), and Exhaust Temperature (TTXM), and the Electrical Power Output (EP) as the target variable. The dataset has been preprocessed, and the Support Vector Regression (SVR) machine learning algorithm is applied to models and trains the dataset. The model's accuracy is carefully evaluated using the effective metrics such as Mean Squared Error (MSE), R-squared (R²), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) and Mean Absolute Error (MAE). The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the Support Vector Regression (SVR) algorithm for forecasting the power output of gas turbines, that authenticates the practicability and value of applying machine learning to real-world GT operation in the Kurdistan region. This work provides a strong foundation for introducing a new strategy of smart energy management in the power sector in the region.