Senegal’s domestic gas reserves might be primarily used to supply electrical energy. Authorities count on that domestic gas infrastructure tasks will come online between 2025 and 2026, supplied there isn’t a delay. The monetization of those significant energy sources is on the foundation of the government’s new gas-to-power ambitions.
In this context, the worldwide technology group Wärtsilä conducted in-depth research that analyse the financial influence of the various gas-to-power methods out there to Senegal. Two very different technologies are competing to meet the country’s gas-to-power ambitions: Combined-cycle gas generators (CCGT) and Gas engines (ICE).
These research have revealed very important system price variations between the two primary gas-to-power technologies the country is at present contemplating. Contrary to prevailing beliefs, gas engines are in fact a lot better suited than mixed cycle gasoline turbines to harness power from Senegal’s new fuel assets cost-effectively, the examine reveals. Total value differences between the 2 technologies might reach as a lot as 480 million USD until 2035 depending on scenarios.
Two competing and really different applied sciences
The state-of-the-art vitality combine models developed by Wärtsilä, which builds customised vitality scenarios to establish the cost optimum approach to ship new technology capacity for a selected country, exhibits that ICE and CCGT applied sciences present important value differences for the gas-to-power newbuild program working to 2035.
Although these two applied sciences are equally proven and reliable, they are very completely different when it comes to the profiles by which they will function. CCGT is a technology that has been developed for the interconnected European electricity markets, the place it can perform at 90% load issue always. On the other hand, flexible ICE know-how can function effectively in all working profiles, and seamlessly adapt itself to any other era technologies that will make up the country’s power combine.
In particular our examine reveals that when working in an electricity community of restricted size corresponding to Senegal’s 1GW nationwide grid, relying on CCGTs to considerably expand the network capacity can be extremely expensive in all potential situations.
Cost differences between the applied sciences are explained by a variety of elements. First of all, scorching climates negatively influence the output of fuel generators more than it does that of gasoline engines.
Secondly, because of Senegal’s anticipated access to low cost domestic gasoline, the working costs turn out to be much less impactful than the funding prices. In different words, because low gasoline costs decrease operating costs, it is financially sound for the nation to rely on ICE energy crops, that are inexpensive to construct.
Technology modularity also plays a key role. เกจวัดแรงดันออกซิเจน is predicted to require an extra 60-80 MW of generation capability every year to be able to meet the growing demand. This is much decrease than the capacity of typical CCGTs crops which averages 300-400 MW that should be inbuilt one go, leading to pointless expenditure. Engine power plants, on the opposite hand, are modular, which means they can be built exactly as and when the nation wants them, and additional prolonged when required.
The numbers at play are important. The mannequin exhibits that If Senegal chooses to favour CCGT crops on the expense of ICE-gas, it’ll result in as much as 240 million dollars of extra value for the system by 2035. The price difference between the technologies can even improve to 350 million USD in favor of ICE expertise if Senegal additionally chooses to build new renewable energy capability throughout the next decade.
Risk-managing potential fuel infrastructure delays
The improvement of gas infrastructure is a fancy and prolonged endeavour. Program delays aren’t uncommon, inflicting gas supply disruptions that may have a huge monetary impact on the operation of CCGT plants.
Nigeria knows one thing about that. Only final 12 months, important gas supply points have brought on shutdowns at some of the country’s largest gas turbine energy plants. Because Gas turbines function on a continuous combustion course of, they require a constant provide of gasoline and a steady dispatched load to generate constant energy output. If the availability is disrupted, shutdowns occur, putting a great pressure on the general system. ICE-Gas crops however, are designed to regulate their operational profile over time and enhance system flexibility. Because of their versatile operating profile, they were capable of maintain a a lot higher degree of availability
The examine took a deep dive to analyse the monetary influence of two years delay in the fuel infrastructure program. It demonstrates that if the country decides to invest into gas engines, the value of gas delay would be 550 million dollars, whereas a system dominated by CCGTs would lead to a staggering 770 million dollars in extra cost.
Whichever means you look at it, new ICE-Gas generation capacity will minimize the whole price of electricity in Senegal in all possible eventualities. If Senegal is to fulfill electrical energy demand development in a cost-optimal means, no less than 300 MW of latest ICE-Gas capacity shall be required by 2026.
Share