Thermodynamic evaluation of solar integration into a natural gas combined cycle power plant

• Examine thermodynamic benefits of Integrated Solar Combined-Cycle (ISCC).
• Examine solar conversion efficiency under varying solar heat and ambient conditions.
• Solar addition can boost steam cycle efficiency.
• Solar conversion efficiency is higher than steam cycle efficiency in the ISCC plant.

The term integrated solar combined-cycle (ISCC) has been used to define the combination of solar thermal energy into a natural gas combined-cycle (NGCC) power plant. Based on a detailed thermodynamic cycle model for a reference ISCC plant, the impact of solar addition is thoroughly evaluated for a wide range of input parameters such as solar thermal input and ambient temperature. It is shown that solar hybridization into an NGCC plant may give rise to a substantial benefit from a thermodynamic point of view. The work here also indicates that a significant solar contribution may be achieved in an ISCC plant, thus implying substantial fuel savings and environmental benefits.