Page 29 - Gi flipbook April 2019

SMALL but

MIGHTY

Smaller, more flexible distributed gas engine power
plants are essential to bridge the gap between fossil fuels
and renewable energy growth, explains Glenn Karlsson,
Technical Manager for Green Frog Gas Utilities

as generation provides a (OCGT) connected to the electricity options to vary and trim the supply of
greater role than ever in the UK transmission system. power on a second-by-second basis.
electricity system and remains On the local distribution networks, The CCGT plant can slowly ramp up
the most important component gas engine plants in various forms make and down outputs and the OCGT can
G in balancing an ever-increasing up an ever-increasing installed capacity be brought online quickly from cold
intermittent renewable portfolio. for combined heat and power (CHP), (typically in 20-40 minutes) to deliver
Gas is going to be essential to allow landfill gas, and mines gas and biogas considerable power outputs.
the transition from a primarily fossil- installations, most of which operate The total energy mix of the UK
fuelled system to a primarily low- continuously on various government- electricity system has been rapidly
carbon system. backed commercial arrangements. changing. In the last 10 years there
A growing trend in gas power has been a huge level of growth in
generation technology is a move The total energy mix of the UK primarily volatile renewable capacity.
away from large, high operating As of 2017, renewables provided
hours, transmission-connected plant electricity system has been 29.3 per cent of electricity generation,
to smaller, more flexible gas engine rapidly changing. In the last representing 42GW of available
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configurations; a change which has 10 years there has been a huge capacity – a huge increase.
various implications for local gas level of growth in primarily In particular, the UK’s offshore
distribution systems. wind industry is world-leading
Gas-fired power plants already play volatile renewable capacity and many analysts expect the total
a significant role in the UK electricity capacity of offshore wind will reach
system, providing the vast majority of Overall, gas produced 40.4 per cent of around 20GW by 2030.
firm and flexible capacity for the UK’s the UK electricity generation share during This triumph in renewable energy
1
electricity system. 2017 and represented approximately development does not come without
The bulk of these plants consist 30GW of generating capacity. its challenges.
of very efficient combined cycle gas Combined with a small amount The majority of these renewable
turbines (CCGT) with the minority made of pumped storage/hydro, these technologies are intermittent and do
up of less electrically efficient, but transmission-connected gas power plants not provide firm, flexible capacity.
more flexible, open cycle gas turbines provide National Grid with generation The UK electricity system must have

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