The second cogeneration plant that we present is much more complex, and of a higher capacity than the first one which was based on a micro gas turbine.
This cogeneration plant produces electricity and provides heat to the district heating network of a town of 30,000 inhabitants. This is a “heat-power” type plant, where the heat is the commodity, electricity being a byproduct sold to the utility to valorize the fuel.
The heating system is a circuit of pressurized water whose temperature is between about 90 °C and 130 °C. The circuit exits the facility at its maximum temperature, then passes through the city exchange sub-stations ensuring the heating and/or domestic water heating of homes, buildings, hospitals, school groups etc. Finally it returns to the plant at its minimum temperature to be heated again.
City heat requirements vary throughout the year depending on climatic conditions. The plant must adapt to these needs and adjust the thermal power it provides to the network.
The electric power supplied is constant, close to 55 MW and the thermal power varies between 45 and 62 MW
This example which corresponds to a real-world case, has been modeled in detail by S. Candelier and a model is available. You can download the detailed report as well as the project and diagram files of the plant.
You will find below a link towards a note entitled “Model construction and verification methodology” intended to provide Thermoptim users with a certain number of recommendations based on past experience.