Power to Ice: A Novel Approach to Stabilize Non-Programmable Renewable by Means of Gas Turbine IACC

Large penetration of non-programmable energy sources, such as wind, is a challenging issue for grid operators and quick ramping fossil fuel generators. Indeed, the variability and fluctuation of renewables (i.e. rapid change in generation over relatively short time periods) is increasing the need for regulating power. In this context and according to Authors knowledge, the innovative approach proposed in this study is to use a gas turbine equipped with continuous cooling in order to stabilize the power output generation of renewable generators. The gas turbine power boost, obtained thanks to inlet air cooling, will compensate for renewable generators underproduction. On the opposite, in case of renewable generators power output surplus, the excess of power is driven to a compressor chiller device for cold water storage, then used to chill gas turbine inlet air whenever needed. A detailed performance evaluation on the proposed system is carried out showing the influence of most important parameters (i.e. additional pressure losses introduced with the cooling device, gas turbine models and assumed derating coefficients, etc.). A feasibility analysis of the investigated system is presented for several case studies in case of wind generators (two different gas turbine models, different wind farm nameplate capacity, different power output set points), investigating the volume of tanks necessary to stabilize wind fluctuations.