Energy Cost Analysis of Incorporating Air Intake Cooling System in Omotosho Phase 1 Thermal Power Plant

Abstract

The gas turbine power plants in Nigeria are sited in locations where the standard ambient air temperature condition of 15⁰ C rarely occurs. This off – rated temperature condition brings about a low thermal performance of the power plants. One method that can be used to improve the thermal performance of gas turbine power plants is to reduce the temperature of air entering them by using combustion turbine air – inlet cooling technology. This paper presents the energy cost analysis of incorporating air – intake cooling system in Omotosho Phase I Thermal Power Station. Data obtained from the power station were used for the economic analysis. The analysis indicates that four hundred and ninety eight million, one hundred and thirty eight thousand, seven hundred naira and sixty kobo only as profit. Thus retrofitting the existing gas turbine power plant with air – intake cooling system is economically viable. It also provides a better system performance and is an attractive investment opportunity.

Keywords: Energy, cooling, ambient air temperature, cost analysis, profit, efficiency, power output.