simplemind
JF-Expert Member
- Apr 10, 2009
- 16,418
- 9,209
Ever wondered what typical thermal efficiency of an open cycle gas turbine is? A. 90% B.50% C.35% D.10%. The correct answer is C ie 35%. 65% of input energy(fuel) is wasted as heat. Now you may be wondering what has turbine efficiency got to do with generating power in Mtwara vis a vis Dar es saaalam. To generate power in Dar we need to transport natural gas by whatever means to the power station-by road,rail,air , sea or pipeline. Consesus is pipeline is cheapest alternative. Hence we are building a pipeline at considerable cost to the nation with enough capacity to supply 3000 mw open cycle gas power plant(last time i checked project cost equal usd 1.2 billion, serious no kidding). Gas turbine efficiency is 35%, implies 65% of pipeline capacity dedicated/conveys waste heat gas. Ie usd 780 million of 1.2 billion finances waste heat(assuming pipeline is dedicated to electricity production only)
A better option is to generate power in Mtwara and transmit it via HVDC with loss of less than 3% per 1000 km to whole of EA and beyond. Besides HVDC line less costly tha HVAC- no need for 3 wires. (longest hvdc line to date is Rio Maidera link consist of two bipoles 3150 mw each 2500 km)
A better option is to generate power in Mtwara and transmit it via HVDC with loss of less than 3% per 1000 km to whole of EA and beyond. Besides HVDC line less costly tha HVAC- no need for 3 wires. (longest hvdc line to date is Rio Maidera link consist of two bipoles 3150 mw each 2500 km)