You Had One Job...
There was a time in the not too distant past where generation resources could thrive by being good at one thing. For example, high baseload efficiency was great for baseload generation. Many plants were built to be started up a few times per year and run for hundreds of hours at full load. This is what they were designed for, and they performed well. Other plants were focused on peaking needs, so they were designed to be fast-starting and ramping. Doing this well allowed them to succeed as peaking resources. Unfortunately these days will most likely remain in the past.
The conversation between OEM’s and generators used to be, “What is most important, baseload efficiency, fast-start ability, maximum turndown, or ramp rate?” The response was a single answer that matched the particular need at that time. Now the answer has changed to “Yes”. In other words, generators can’t afford to be good at just one thing anymore. Baseload generation is being asked to ramp up and down, and shut down and start up quickly, and turn down to minimum load. Peaking assets are being asked to start more often and run longer at baseload. The once clear demarcation between peaking, intermediate, and baseload resources is now gray and muddy.
Tools of the trade
Let’s get back to the basics for a moment. Just like generation assets were historically asked to do one thing, particular technologies became very good at doing one thing. The strengths and weaknesses of these technologies made the decision for generators relatively easy. If you wanted maximum efficiency with baseload generation then you went with a gas turbine based combined cycle plant. Simple cycle peaking plants were aeroderivative gas turbines. Smaller CHP plants and distributed generation resources were small gas turbines or reciprocating engines.
One plus one equals ... three?
The grid (and energy markets) is asking generators to be more capable than they have been in the past. Generation owners are also finding that the only way to get a respectable return on their investment is to diversify revenue streams. In other words, not necessarily make more money doing what they’ve been doing in the past, but make different money. Tap into markets they haven’t traditionally participated in, like the ancillary services markets. In order to accomplish this successfully, generation assets have to increase their flexibility to a level that pushes, and in most cases exceeds the capabilities of an individual technology. This is where the synergy of generation...or the SynerGen concept is born.
By intelligently combining two (or more) different technologies, weaknesses can be overcome and the result can exceed the capabilities of either technology on its own. For instance, gas turbines are dispatchable, reliable, and economical...but not instantaneous. Conversely, battery storage systems are instantaneous and have zero emissions during discharge, but they aren’t sustainable in that they eventually run out of power. Combining these two technologies presents an asset that is instantly dispatchable and can run as long as needed. However, to fully unlock the potential of this hybrid solution we must go beyond simple collocation. The units must be fully integrated with each other to maximize performance.
And the answer is...
The answer is that this problem requires more than an answer. It requires a solution. If someone asks you to help them build something and you show up with just a hammer, you’re providing an answer. And that answer may be right some of the time. But, if you show up with a full toolbox…now you’re delivering a solution.
The difference is that the answer is the final result. The solution is the comprehensive process that delivers an answer customized to the specific problem. Each plant, each project, each location is a different problem with different boundary conditions. This means there is no simple answer that solves all of the various problems. Instead, we need to approach each problem —each project with a comprehensive solution methodology that will deliver the right answer for that project. The future is here and the way to maximize revenue now and be fully prepared to adapt to wherever the market goes is to SYNERgize your GENeration.
About the author: Chris Mieckowski has more than a decade of power plant experience, with a specialization in plant optimization. He is currently the Global Director of Solutions Portfolio Marketing at Siemens Power and Gas. Prior to joining Siemens, Chris was the Director of Business Development at Stellar Energy. Chris has also worked for GE and Kiewit, holding roles in product line management, early contract involvement and project engineering. He began his career with nine years in the U.S. Navy, starting as a Nuclear Electrician and completing his service as an officer. Chris holds a B.S. in Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy.
This article was originally published in Power Engineering magazine. For more information, see www.power-eng.com. Reprinted with permission.