High Efficiency Power Plants

 

There are many examples of power plants operating a combined cycle that are achieving thermal efficiencies over 50%.  In 1985, the Tohoku combined power plant came into operation.  The plant has two 191 MW steam turbines and six 118 MW gas turbines.  It was the beginning of a new era of power plants.  The thermal efficiency of the plant registered as 44% efficient.

 

In Bavaria, SIemens constructed a combined power cycle plant that set a world record for efficiency.  A net efficiency of 60.75% was achieved.  The combined power output from both turbines is 600 MW.  The plant consumes 1/3 less natural gas than comparable plants, and emits about 1/3 the CO2 as other power plants.  This plant should become the blueprint of future power plants.  Engineering advances have really helped improve the overall efficiency of these plants.

 

In Ambarli, Turkey, Siemens constructed a 1350 MW combined cycle plant.  This was the first commercially operating thermal plant in the world able to achieve about 52.5% efficiency.  The plant has six 150 MW gas turbines and three 173 MW steam turbines.