Combined-Cycle Power Plants
Why gas turbines and steam cycles can be combined to recover more useful electricity from fuel energy.
Where this fits
Why gas turbines and steam cycles can be combined to recover more useful electricity from fuel energy.
Core system ideas
A gas turbine produces electricity from high-temperature combustion gases.
Its hot exhaust can generate steam that powers a second turbine-generator, increasing total conversion efficiency.
The integrated plant still depends on fuel supply, cooling, water, controls and grid connection.
Interfaces and tradeoffs
Generation interacts with fuel or resource availability, plant auxiliaries, transmission capability, maintenance and system demand. Nameplate capacity alone never describes the full operating contribution.
What organizations measure
Net efficiency, heat rate, ramp capability, output and availability.