Senegal faces key expertise selections in its seek for the optimum gas-to-power strategy

Senegal’s home fuel reserves might be mainly used to supply electricity. Authorities count on that domestic fuel infrastructure initiatives will come online between 2025 and 2026, offered there is no delay. The monetization of those important power sources is at the foundation of the government’s new gas-to-power ambitions.
In this context, the global expertise group Wärtsilä performed in-depth studies that analyse the financial influence of the various gas-to-power strategies out there to Senegal. Two very totally different technologies are competing to fulfill the country’s gas-to-power ambitions: Combined-cycle gasoline generators (CCGT) and Gas engines (ICE).
These research have revealed very vital system cost variations between the two primary gas-to-power applied sciences the nation is presently contemplating. Contrary to prevailing beliefs, fuel engines are actually significantly better suited than mixed cycle gasoline turbines to harness energy from Senegal’s new gas assets cost-effectively, the research reveals. Total cost differences between the two technologies could attain as a lot as 480 million USD till 2035 relying on situations.
Two competing and really totally different applied sciences
The state-of-the-art power combine fashions developed by Wärtsilä, which builds customised power situations to identify the cost optimum method to deliver new era capacity for a specific country, exhibits that ICE and CCGT technologies current significant value differences for the gas-to-power newbuild program running to 2035.
Although these two technologies are equally confirmed and dependable, they are very different in phrases of the profiles during which they will function. CCGT is a know-how that has been developed for the interconnected European electrical energy markets, the place it may possibly operate at 90% load issue always. On the other hand, flexible ICE expertise can function effectively in all operating profiles, and seamlessly adapt itself to any other era technologies that may make up the country’s energy combine.
In particular our study reveals that when working in an electrical energy network of limited measurement corresponding to Senegal’s 1GW national grid, counting on CCGTs to considerably expand the network capability would be extraordinarily expensive in all potential eventualities.
Cost differences between the technologies are defined by numerous components. First of all, scorching climates negatively impact the output of gas generators more than it does that of gasoline engines.
Secondly, thanks to Senegal’s anticipated entry to low cost domestic fuel, the working costs turn out to be less impactful than the investment costs. In other phrases, as a outcome of low fuel prices decrease working prices, it’s financially sound for the country to depend on ICE energy crops, which are inexpensive to build.
Technology modularity also performs a key position. Senegal is predicted to require an additional 60-80 MW of era capacity every year to find a way to meet the growing demand. This is much decrease than the capacity of typical CCGTs crops which averages 300-400 MW that have to be built in one go, leading to pointless expenditure. Engine power plants, then again, are modular, which means they can be built exactly as and when the nation needs them, and additional extended when required.
The numbers at play are significant. The model reveals that If Senegal chooses to favour CCGT plants on the expense of ICE-gas, it’ll result in as much as 240 million dollars of extra cost for the system by 2035. The value distinction between the technologies can even enhance to 350 million USD in favor of ICE technology if Senegal additionally chooses to construct new renewable vitality capacity inside the subsequent decade.
Risk-managing potential gas infrastructure delays
The development of fuel infrastructure is a posh and prolonged endeavour. Program delays aren’t uncommon, causing gasoline provide disruptions that can have an enormous financial influence on the operation of CCGT crops.
เกจวัดแรงดันco2 is conscious of one thing about that. Only final yr, significant fuel supply issues have caused shutdowns at a variety of the country’s largest gas turbine power vegetation. Because Gas turbines operate on a continuous combustion process, they require a constant supply of fuel and a steady dispatched load to generate consistent energy output. If the provision is disrupted, shutdowns occur, putting a fantastic strain on the general system. ICE-Gas crops then again, are designed to adjust their operational profile over time and increase system flexibility. Because of their flexible operating profile, they had been capable of maintain a a lot higher stage of availability
The examine took a deep dive to analyse the monetary influence of two years delay within the fuel infrastructure program. It demonstrates that if the nation decides to invest into gasoline engines, the worth of gas delay can be 550 million dollars, whereas a system dominated by CCGTs would result in a staggering 770 million dollars in additional value.
Whichever means you have a look at it, new ICE-Gas generation capacity will minimize the entire price of electrical energy in Senegal in all potential scenarios. If Senegal is to meet electrical energy demand development in a cost-optimal way, at least 300 MW of recent ICE-Gas capability might be required by 2026.
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