The main goal is to double the load following capability of the existing combined cycle plants from a ramp rate from currently 6% per minute to 12% per minute.
An electrical power system has to be in constant balance, with a perfect continuous match between electricity consumption and generation. Flexible generating capacity is a promising immediate way to address grid stability requirements.
To achieve the required ramp rate increase, TURBO-REFLEX will provide the following component improvements:
- Combustor: exploitation of several gas turbine operational modes and combustor design modifications for improving LBO limits and operability during charging and discharging
- Turbine: development of new cooling schemes yielding lower thermal gradients in hot gas path components during transients and thereby improving substantially the ramp rate
- Storage integration: Increasing the flexibility of existing combined cycle plants through the integration with energy storage capabilities such as CAES or LAES technology
