3 MAJOR TYPES OF GAS FIRED POWER PLANTS
- Simple-cycle: Burn natural gas in a combustion turbine to produce high-pressure, high-temperature gas, that is then used to spin the turbine. These plants have short start-up times and are used during periods of peak demand. They are relatively inefficient in their ability to convert heat into electricity so their use is often limited to periods of high demand.
- Combined-cycle: Incorporate simple cycle combustion turbines and a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG). Waste heat from combustion turbines is used to generate steam in the HRSG to drive a steam turbine. The use of waste heat results in higher plant efficiency (50+ percent).
- Steam Plants: Use natural gas to heat water and create steam that spins a turbine, just as in a coal plant.
