Long term maintenance optimization of CCGT plants

Abstract

The rising share of renewable energies within the generation mix has reduced the load factor of actual CCGT power plants. In this way, a more flexible operation of this technology with an increased number of annual start-up cycles is needed. Since CCGT design assumed a base load operation at nominal power with a few number of annual start cycles, plant owners have to face higher maintenance costs, reliability reduction and lower market incomes. This paper presents a mixed-integer optimization model that schedules the long term maintenance planning based on the daily operation of a CCGT plant in order to maximize its global profit. The model is illustrated with an actual CCGT plant operating in the Spanish power system.

The rising share of renewable energies within the generation mix has reduced the load factor of actual CCGT power plants. In this way, a more flexible operation of this technology with an increased number of annual start-up cycles is needed. Since CCGT design assumed a base load operation at nominal power with a few number of annual start cycles, plant owners have to face higher maintenance costs, reliability reduction and lower market incomes. This paper presents a mixed-integer optimization model that schedules the long term maintenance planning based on the daily operation of a CCGT plant in order to maximize its global profit. The model is illustrated with an actual CCGT plant operating in the Spanish power system.