Study on solar hybrid Steam Injection Gas Turbine STIG cycle research for Indian circumstances

Solar heat can be utilized to enhance conventional steam injections gas turbine power facilities at moderate temperatures of about 200 °C. For this purpose, Concentrating solar collectors could be less complicated and less expensive to implement in solar power facilities.Thermodynamic analysis of this hybrid cycle is performed. High steam-to-air ratios were researched and found to significantly enhance power when compared to a basic cycle and regular STIG. As of recently, solar thermal power was being widely used to help satisfy global energy demands. Solar thermal systems are expensive and only economically viable in areas with abundant sunlight due to their variable solar power generation. To solve these problems, a reduced hybrid solar heat exchange gas - fired (STIG) cycle was developed. The combustor receives its heat from a combination of gas turbine exhaust or solar heat, which is then used to generate steam and afterwards injected. When compared to a basic cycle, steam injection improves power output & plant efficiency while reducing NOX and CO2 emissions. Without the need for solar components which must operate at high temperature and pressure, it enables very high conversion efficiency.It is advocated that research be conducted on solar radiation conversion technologies that have the potential to attain high converting efficiencies and enhanced competitiveness compared to fossil fuels. In this study, the annual cycle performance for sites in India is shown for two modes of variable and constant power, together with local meteorological data including relative humidity, ambient temperature, and availability direct direct normal irradiance to a solar concentrator. The findings show that the hybrid solar STIG plant's solar to electricity efficiency, with a larger solar contribution, is comparable to that of existing solar thermal technologies. The study found that annual CO2 emissions are lower using gas turbine technology compared to combined cycle plants.