Performance Analysis of a Photovoltaic Aided Combined Cycle Power Plant

In this research, the integration of solar photovoltaics (PV) into the Gas Turbine Combine Cycle power plant (GTCC) was studied. The performance including economic analysis and environmental impact was conducted by a case study of an Independent Power Producer of 700 MW. GTCC power plant in Thailand. The methodology of performance test and calculation were according to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Performance Test Code 46 Overall Plant Performance (ASME PTC46) which took out the uncontrolled effect of environments by using manufacturer correction curves. The results indicated that the PV system could replace some part of auxiliary power consumption using renewable electricity to reduce internal power consumption and emission. In this case, by utilizing PV system of 980 KW the electrical power generation was 1,431 MWh per year which natural gas consumption and CO2 emission could be reduced by 10,358,792MJ and 856.6 tons per year respectively. Due to the feature of the integration into the power plant, PV electricity can supply to the power plant, either in operation or put on shutdown. The investment cost, operation, and maintenance (O&M) expenditure were feasible compared with PV power generation.