Link to document:
Status
Electronic Resource
Call number
Publication
EPRI EM 1218; Report; November 1979.
Language
Library's review
ABSTRACT:
Prior studies have shown that one of the methods that may have near-term potential for generating peaking power by electric utilities is to store thermal energy during low demand periods to produce electricity during high demand periods. The objective of this study is to identify potential
An extensive analysis and screening process resulted in selecting two coal-fired and two nuclear plants for detailed conceptual design. The coal plants utilized peaking turbines and the nuclear plants varied the feedwater extraction to change power output.
It was shown that the performance and costs of even the best of these systems could not compete in near-term utility applications with cycling coal plants and typical gas turbines available for peaking power. Lower electricity costs, greater flexibility of operation, and other benefits can be provided by cycling coal plants for greater than 1500 hours of peaking or by gas turbines for less than 1500 hours if oil is available and its cost does not increase significantly.
Prior studies have shown that one of the methods that may have near-term potential for generating peaking power by electric utilities is to store thermal energy during low demand periods to produce electricity during high demand periods. The objective of this study is to identify potential
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concepts, select the most promising ones for conceptual design and make detailed evaluations of their economic feasibility and cost-benefits. Over forty concepts were examined for storage media, forms of containment, and cycle configurations for con- version to electricity.An extensive analysis and screening process resulted in selecting two coal-fired and two nuclear plants for detailed conceptual design. The coal plants utilized peaking turbines and the nuclear plants varied the feedwater extraction to change power output.
It was shown that the performance and costs of even the best of these systems could not compete in near-term utility applications with cycling coal plants and typical gas turbines available for peaking power. Lower electricity costs, greater flexibility of operation, and other benefits can be provided by cycling coal plants for greater than 1500 hours of peaking or by gas turbines for less than 1500 hours if oil is available and its cost does not increase significantly.
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