Abstract
This paper presents an analytical review on the SMUD’s combined cycle power plant modification project (in Rancho Seco, CA) with solar energy utilization to supplement the steam turbine power generation process. During summer, the change in ambient temperature and air density results in lower amount of steam produced and reduced the power capacity in the plant. Thus, SMUD suggests using a concentrated solar power system to heat additional water and injects the solar steam as a steam supplement to the system. SMUD has provided solar steam parameters, heat balance data, and flow diagram of the plant, evaluation of different potent designs is conduct. The result will serve as reference to SMUD for the actual project. The design performance is measured in term of the net power gain, the cost of pumping throughout the system, and the overall system modification. Among the discussed designs, injection of solar steam between the IP steam turbine and the reheater, and condensate return by pumping from the condenser directly without heating, would give the most optimal performance; providing a theoretical power gain of 19.0 MW, or 9.8% capacity improvement, with flow rate of 168,600 lb/hr in the concentrated solar power system.