Trends in Combined Steam-Gas Turbine Power Plants in the U. S. A.

The combined steam-gas turbine cycle offers reductions in fuel consumption and energy production cost compared to all steam, particularly for the smaller-size plants used in industrial complexes. Currently, combined cycles are restricted to natural gas fuel, which limits their use particularly by utility companies. Their potential is predicted in the event an economic means of operating gas turbines on coal can be found. Extrapolation of the historic trend of gas turbine performance and cost suggests that combined cycles will be able to demonstrate substantial economies for larger power plants in the future.