Comparative Model for Quality Performance Assessment and Optimization of Open Cycle Power Plant

Energy loss in Open Cycle Plant due majorly to deviation in environmental and climatic condition results in significant difference between installed energy generation capacity and available energy generation capacity and requires detailed assessment of performance parameters against ideal performance standard to ascertain the economic impact and proffer adequate measures to bridge the gap. This study develops comparative model for assessing and computing the performance of open cycle power plants. It uses three power plant in Ughelli, Nigeria as case study. The performance of three plants were assessed with specific emphasis on the following key performance indices; Thermal efficiency ƞth, Overall efficiency ƞo, Availability (ψ), Capacity factor CF, Availability factor AF and Benefit cost model structure. The study revealed that the total energy generated in 2014 stood at 1,877,369.00MWh from three plants out of which 1,821,047.90MWh was exported. The Thermal efficiency was (28%, 29% and 29%) respectively, Overall efficiency 34%, Availability, Capacity factor and Availability factor was (75%, 91% and 89%), (0.66, 0.78 and 0.76) and (0.75, 0.91 and 0.89) respectively. The total Benefit and Cost stood at N 10,429,512,002 and N 4,171,804,800.80 while Benefit cost ratio was 2.5. The percentage energy generated and the equivalent revenue gained was (64%, 76% and 74%) respectively while percentage energy loss and the equivalent revenue loss was (36%, 24% and 26%) respectively