A METHOD OF ESTIMATING THE MAXIMUM POWER GENERATION CAPACITY AND FOR CONTROLLING A SPECIFIED POWER RESERVE OF A SINGLE CYCLE OR COMBINED CYCLE GAS TURBINE POWER PLANT, AND A POWER GENERATING SYSTEM FOR USE WITH SAID METHOD

摘要

An estimation unit is disclosed that estimates on a real-time basis the maximum power generation capacity of a single cycle or combined cycle gas turbine power plant. According to the invention, first, the actual power output and the maximum power generation capacity are calculated relying on a mathematical process model. Subsequently, the calculated actual power output is compared with the measured power output yielding a model-estimation error. Based on the model- estimation error, a correction signal is deduced. The correction signal is applied in a subsequent step to correct the calculated maximum power generation capacity. Further, a controller is disclosed that operates a single cycle or combined cycle gas turbine power plant such that a specified power reserve is maintained. Said controller performs its operation on the control-hierarchic level of load commands. It uses an estimate of the maximum power generation capacity as reference, subtracts a required load offset, and applies the resulting signal as upper limit of the load set-point. The required load offset follows from the specified power reserve. The specification of the power reserve may involve static as well as transient requirements.