Over the centuries, energy has been supplied by wood, coke, coal, oil and natural gas, as well as by uranium (nuclear energy). All these energy sources are limited and at the same time these energy sources create pollution problems. This has led to the focus on a sustainable energy supply, which implies optimized use of energy, minimized pollution. That is why wind energy is prominent and it is...

Gas turbines have become the dominant technology for power generation. They can be quickly assembled and put to service. They are convenient for engine exchange during system overhaul. The emission of NOx, SOx, CO, and particulates are also significantly law as compared to coal fired power plants. However, their maintenance cost is relatively high. The perceived best approach to reduce the cost...

This report describes three 2400-MW(t) reference point designs for the moltencoolant gas cycle (MCGC), based on the current power conversion unit (PCU) designs for the GT-MHR. A very-high-temperature helium cycle with a 900°C turbine inlet temperature achieves a thermodynamic efficiency of 54% and net electric output of 1300 MW(e), while a low-temperature helium cycle with a 600°C turbine inlet...

This paper investigates LBO in prices and heat rates of gas turbines. We test whether the LBO spills over from production experience with smaller units. Progress ratios range from 0.83 to 0.95 for price and 0.89 to 0.94 for the heat rate. We do not find that learning spills over from the smaller size class. Since lower heat rates have an upward effect on price, the two learning effects offset o...

Accuracy, reliability, and long lifetimes are critical parameters for sensors measuring temperature in gas turbines of clean coal-fired power plants. Greener high efficiency next generation power plants need gas turbines operating at extremely high temperatures of 1500°C, where present thermocouple temperature probe technology fails to operate with reliable and accurate readings over long lifet...

We examine the adoption of gas turbine electricity generators by electric utilities and independent power producers from 1980 to 2001 in search of evidence of economic regulation inducing particular type of technology adoption and development. We focus on three major attributes of gas turbines capacity, heat rate, and age and two major economic regulatory regimes vertically integrated utilities...