Optimized control of power plants having air cooled condensers

Abstract

An optimization and control system for a utility plant that uses fan based air cooled condensers controls the operation of the power generation system at the plant in conjunction with the operation of the air cooled condensers so as to run the power plant at an optimum operating point associated with minimizing or reducing the cost of each kilowatt-hour of energy or other useful energy produced by the plant. The optimization and control system includes an optimizer having a numerical solver that determines values for a set of control variables associated with an optimal operating point of the plant and an expert system that oversees and modifies the control variable settings prior to providing these settings to a plant controller. The numerical solver uses an objective function and one or more models of plant equipment to determine the operating point of the plant that minimizes the cost per unit of useful energy generated by the plant. As part of determining the optimal plant operating point, the numerical solver may determine the number of fans to run within the air cooled condensers of the plant and / or the speed of the fans to use in the air cooled condensers in conjunction with the amount of fuel to burn in the boiler, the desired temperature of the steam at the input of the steam turbine, etc., all required to produce a given amount of power (load demand) at the particular environmental conditions currently experienced at the plant. The expert system may modify these outputs by determining which fans to actually use at any particular time based on, for example, the availability of or the operational status of the fans, the wear of the fans and fan motors, etc.

Description

technical field [0001] This patent relates generally to a control system for controlling the operation of a plant or power plant, and more particularly to a control system for performing optimal control of a plant or power plant including an air-cooled condenser. Background technique [0002] Power plants or utilities generate electricity using any of many different types of power generation methods, and are typically classified based on the type of raw energy they use to generate electricity. Power generation methods include, for example, thermal, nuclear, wind, and hydroelectric energy conversion methods, among others. Although power plants using these various types of power generation methods operate with different implementation techniques, these plants always operate under a set of constraints applicable to the particular method employed. For example, the electrical output of a thermal generator is a function of the amount of heat produced in the boiler, where the amou...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Standard methods of operating air-cooled condensers therefore typically result in a plant that is less efficient than possible, resulting in a higher cost to operate the plant for a given energy output

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