It is possible to increase power production capacity in Iran by 7,500 megawatts without raising gas consumption by converting thermal power plants into combined-cycle units, managing director of Iran’s Thermal Power Plants Holding Company said.
Mohsen Tarztalab made the remark at the inauguration ceremony of the first steam unit of Assaluyeh Combined-Cycle Power Plant in Bushehr Province on Thursday, the Energy Ministry news website Paven reported.
By converting gas units into combined-cycle units, it is possible to reduce greenhouse gases by 43 million tons per year and increase the efficiency of power plants by 4%, he noted, adding that it would also save the use of 12 billion cubic meters of gas as feedstock.
Energy efficiency of a conventional thermal power station, considered salable energy produced as a percent of the heating value of the fuel consumed, is typically 33% to 48%. Considering all the heat produced by gas and steam turbines, their efficiency is limited and governed by the laws of thermodynamics.
Currently, 17 steam units are being built across the country with 3,025 MW capacity and will be operational by the end of the fiscal year (March 2021), Tarztalab said.
A combined-cycle power plant uses both gas and steam turbines to produce up to 50% more electricity from the same fuel input than a traditional plant. The waste heat from the gas turbine is rerouted to a steam turbine, which in turn generates more power.
The new steam unit in Assaluyeh Power Plant has production capacity of 160 megawatts and 70% of it has been built by domestic firms.
"The plant has six gas units and one steam unit, with total capacity of 1,173 MW. Upon completion of two more steam units in the next two years, capacity will reach 1,500 MW,” Tarztalab was quoted as saying.
Over $130 million has been spent on the project that will increase efficiency of the plant to 53% from 34%.
Supplying sustainable electricity to the national grid, reducing environmental pollution, increasing efficiency of electricity generation and saving 846 million cubic meters of gas consumption annually are among the main features of the project.
Thermal power stations account for 85% of total generation of around 84 gigawatts in Iran.
