Utilities optimize operations by cycling base-load fossil units
In the summer of 1985, an East Coast utility ''gave away'' approximately 200 MW of electricity. The utility found itself having to operate, at full capability, a 400-MW, 20-yr-old fossil station when its power pool had requested only half that load. The power went into the network and was sold, but another member of the pool got the credit. This situation developed because the utility had two stations it had to operate in the base-load mode: One was brand new, the other could operate economically only at full capacity. This predicament is becoming commonplace for many utilities with one or more base-load units that have recently come on-line. Utilities are using their older fossil units to satisfy generating capacity at these peak-demand periods by introducing them to cyclic operation. For example, in 1987, when Duke Power Co's Catawba 2 nuclear station is scheduled for commercial operation, approximately 50% of the utility's system will be base-load nuclear generation. During periods of low system demand, Duke's larger fossil units will be required either to attain sufficiently low loads or to cycle on and off daily to meet system dispatch requirements. A figure shows how Duke's fossil units will have to meet daily demand projected for the sumer of 1988. Of course, cycling a fossil plant does not involve simply turning the boiler off at 5 p.m. and switching it on again at 9 a.m. This action creates stress on equipment that can lead to severe availability problems. Utilities that opt to cycle all or some of their units do so only after careful analysis. This article describes the more serious problems associated with it.
- OSTI ID:
- 5733576
- Journal Information:
- Power; (United States), Vol. 130:5
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Advanced control strategy for plant heat rate improvement
Liquid Salt Combined-Cycle Pilot Plant Design
Related Subjects
POLICY AND ECONOMY
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
LOAD MANAGEMENT
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
OUTAGES
CAPACITY
EAST COAST
MAINTENANCE
OPERATING COST
OPTIMIZATION
PEAK LOAD
POWER RANGE 100-1000 MW
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SHUTDOWNS
COST
MANAGEMENT
NORTH AMERICA
POWER PLANTS
PUBLIC UTILITIES
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
USA
VARIATIONS
296001* - Energy Planning & Policy- Electric Power Generation- (-1989)