Climate impact on combined cycle thermoelectric power plant in hot and humid regions

Thermoelectric power plants have been designed to operate in ISO conditions, similar to the temperate climatic conditions of the northern hemisphere. Thus, some equipment used in tropical regions operated outside the ideal conditions, with high relative humidity and ambient temperature. This ends up impairing its efficiency and maximum generation. This paper presents the analysis of 2020 and 2021 hourly electric generation and climatic conditions data for 2020 from the gas based combined cycle Cuiabá Thermoelectric Power Plant, located in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, center-west region of Brazil. The main objective is to present and discuss the correlations between meteorological conditions and power generation in the plant. Results show a strong correlation between generation and the wet bulb temperature. They also show that high wind speeds, increase thermal losses and the efficiency of the steam cycle. This paper shows that thermal electric power plants are particularly sensitive to climate conditions in hot and humid regions. •Climate influence on thermoelectric generation.•Oscillation in maximum electric generation of thermoelectric power plant in hot and humid regions.•The impact of wet bulb temperature on thermoelectric generation in plants that use evaporative cooler.