CCI’s turbine bypass solution offers cost effective power at solar plant

Requirement: Florida Power & Light were looking to improve the availability of renewable energy in the state and installed the world’s first hybrid solar energy centre which is adjacent to a gas turbine combined cycle facility, serving over 25,000 people. The unique challenge to the turbine bypass system is the need to handle multiple cycles and short period of wet steam, which can severely damage the valve equipment.

Solution: The combined CCI and customer team developed a solution that would enable to the two plants to efficiently supply steam to a common steam turbine. The first of its kind, the revolutionary approach allows emission free energy to power the steam turbine when the sun is out, and have the gas turbine combined cycle take over otherwise. The fast acting QuickTrak actuator controls the DRAG valve to adjust the steam flow from the two systems, supporting the daily power variability. This enables the hybrid plant to produce renewable, cost effective power.