Senegal’s home gas reserves might be primarily used to produce electricity. Authorities anticipate that home gasoline infrastructure tasks will come online between 2025 and 2026, provided there isn’t a delay. The monetization of those vital 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 economic influence of the various gas-to-power methods obtainable to Senegal. Two very completely different technologies are competing to fulfill the country’s gas-to-power ambitions: Combined-cycle gasoline turbines (CCGT) and Gas engines (ICE).
These studies have revealed very vital system value variations between the 2 main gas-to-power applied sciences the nation is at present considering. Contrary to prevailing beliefs, fuel engines are in reality much better suited than mixed cycle gasoline turbines to harness power from Senegal’s new gasoline assets cost-effectively, the examine reveals. Total price variations between the 2 technologies could attain as much as 480 million USD until 2035 relying on eventualities.
Two competing and really totally different technologies
The state-of-the-art energy mix models developed by Wärtsilä, which builds customised energy situations to establish the cost optimum approach to ship new era capacity for a specific nation, shows that ICE and CCGT applied sciences present vital value differences for the gas-to-power newbuild program operating to 2035.
Although these two technologies are equally confirmed and reliable, they’re very completely different in phrases of the profiles by which they will function. CCGT is a know-how that has been developed for the interconnected European electricity markets, the place it could function at 90% load issue always. On the opposite hand, versatile ICE technology can operate effectively in all operating profiles, and seamlessly adapt itself to any other technology applied sciences that can make up the country’s vitality mix.
In explicit our examine reveals that when operating in an electrical energy network of limited measurement similar to Senegal’s 1GW national grid, relying on CCGTs to significantly expand the network capacity can be extremely expensive in all attainable scenarios.
Cost differences between the applied sciences are defined by a number of factors. First of all, scorching climates negatively influence the output of fuel turbines greater than it does that of fuel engines.
Secondly, due to Senegal’s anticipated entry to low-cost home gas, the operating costs turn into less impactful than the funding prices. In different phrases, as a end result of low gas prices lower working costs, it’s financially sound for the nation to depend on ICE energy vegetation, which are inexpensive to build.
Technology modularity also plays a key function. Senegal is anticipated to require an additional 60-80 MW of era capacity each year to have the ability to meet the rising demand. This is far lower than the capability of typical CCGTs crops which averages 300-400 MW that must be in-built one go, leading to unnecessary expenditure. Engine power vegetation, on the opposite hand, are modular, which suggests they are often constructed exactly as and when the nation needs them, and additional prolonged when required.
The numbers at play are significant. The mannequin reveals that If Senegal chooses to favour CCGT crops on the expense of ICE-gas, it will result in as much as 240 million dollars of additional cost for the system by 2035. The price difference between the technologies may even enhance to 350 million USD in favor of ICE expertise if Senegal also chooses to construct new renewable energy capability within the subsequent decade.
Risk-managing potential gasoline infrastructure delays
The development of gasoline infrastructure is a complex and lengthy endeavour. Program delays aren’t unusual, causing gasoline supply disruptions that can have a huge monetary impact on the operation of CCGT crops.
Nigeria is aware of one thing about that. Only last yr, significant gas supply issues have triggered shutdowns at some of the country’s largest gas turbine power vegetation. Because Gas turbines operate on a steady combustion process, they require a constant provide of fuel and a secure dispatched load to generate consistent power output. If the availability is disrupted, shutdowns occur, putting a great pressure on the overall system. ICE- เกจไนโตรเจนsumo , are designed to regulate their operational profile over time and improve system flexibility. Because of their versatile operating profile, they had been capable of maintain a much greater stage of availability
The study took a deep dive to analyse the monetary influence of 2 years delay within the gas infrastructure program. It demonstrates that if the nation decides to speculate into gasoline engines, the worth of gasoline delay could be 550 million dollars, whereas a system dominated by CCGTs would lead to a staggering 770 million dollars in additional cost.
Whichever means you take a look at it, new ICE-Gas generation capacity will reduce the whole cost of electricity in Senegal in all potential scenarios. If Senegal is to satisfy electricity demand development in a cost-optimal method, at least 300 MW of latest ICE-Gas capability will be required by 2026.
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