Object-Oriented Modelling of Power Plants: a Structured Approach

Object-oriented modelling languages have become in recent years a very attractive choice for the control-oriented, dynamic modelling of power plants, due to their ease of development, flexibility, and reusability features. The paper describes a hierarchical modelling framework for thermal power plants, based on the Modelica language and on an existing library of elementary models, with particular emphasis on combined-cycle plants. The design criteria of the framework are discussed, and demonstrated by examples. The implications for the modelling of advanced power plants of the future, such as IGCC plants, integrated fuel-cell and combined cycle plants, and plants with CO2 capture capabilities are finally discussed.